Taylor Smith earned individual title at the 2024 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Wrestling Championships.

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: February 20, 2024

Courtesy of Washington and Jefferson Athletics
WASHINGTON, Pa. – A pair of Washington & Jefferson College wrestlers, Hunter Swedish(Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) and Taylor Smith (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata), earned individual titles at the 2024 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Wrestling Championships.

W&J served as the host for the 64th annual conference championship event. The Presidents saw two individuals claim titles, two others finish as runners-up and three more finish in third place.

With a pair of wins Friday evening, Smith improves his overall record to 43-5. The 43 wins for Smith establishes a new single-season school record for victories, as he surpasses head coach Sonnie Blanco‘s mark of 42 wins from 2016-17.

Smith advanced to the semifinals after obtaining a bye in the quarterfinals of 149 pounds. Smith raced out to a 15-4 lead in the opening period with five takedowns before picking up a quick fall in 1:23 to defeat Waynesburg’s Rhyan Stewart. Smith then squared off with Waynesburg’s Cole Homet in the finals. Following a scoreless first period, Smith picked up a takedown in the second to take a 3-1 lead into the third. Smith finished off the victory with a strong third period. The freshman picked up a pair of takedowns to earn the 11-2 major decision victory.

Following the conclusion of the championship, Smith was named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament. He is the first freshman to win Most Outstanding Wrestler since Waynesburg’s Rocky McGeary in 2020 and the first President to earn the top award at the Championships since Taylor Potts in 2012.