ST. MARYS — For the second consecutive winter the Williamstown Yellowjacket wrestling program of head coach Tyler George topped the field during the Little Kanawaha Conference wrestling championships.

Here Saturday at St. Marys High School in the 62nd annual conference tournament, the Yellowjackets finished ahead of Braxton County for a second consecutive season – 185 to 155.5. In 2025, the ‘Jackets topped the Eagles, 186.5 to 160.5.

Williamstown’s Cole Smith, last year’s 126-pound champ, became a two-time LKC victor after winning the 132-pound crown via fall against Ravenswood’s Linkin Andrick.

Smith was joined atop the podium by teammates Landon Miller at 120 (15-0 technical fall versus Braxton’s Connor Tallamy), Aiden Meeks at 126 (11-4 decision versus Braxton’s Colton Putnam) and by 190-pounder Evan Turner, who registered a 13-5 major decision against Ravenswood’s Chayse Sook.

Braxton County 138-pounder Luke Kelly, last year’s 132-pound champ, claimed his second career LKC title following an 11-5 win against ‘Jacket Dutch Sandy, which earned the Eagle the Most Outstanding Wrestler award.

Head coach Sterling Beane also watched Eagle Paxton Smith earn his fourth career LKC crown. Smith’s opponent in the 157-pound finals was Doddridge County’s Noah Wekseth, but the Bulldog fell via a 17-9 major decision. Smith had previously won titles at 132 as a freshman, 138 as a sophomore and 150 as a junior.

Joining the ‘Jacket Smith as a two-time champion was Clay County’s Blake Coleman, who defended his title at 144 after securing a 13-2 major decision against Eagle Bradyn Morris.

The tightest match in the LKC finals came at 113 where Doddridge County’s Jesse Cayton picked up a 2-0 decision against Panther Caiden Bryant.

Also winning titles for the first time were Wahama 106-pounder Elijah Frye (pinned Clay’s Owen McGlothlin), Calhoun County 150-pounder Tucker Sampson (8-3 decision versus Ravenswood’s Brandon Crow), Roane County 165-pounder Mack Webb (9-0 major decision versus ‘Jacket Tyler Newlon), Raider 175-pound teammate Wyatt Nichols (tech fall win versus St. Marys’ Elijah Kimball), Doddridge County 215-pounder Ty McCloud (12-1 major decision versus Blue Devil Kayden Lambert) and Buffalo heavyweight Davey Sayne, who pinned Eagle Joel Sigman.

The host Blue Devils of head coach Jay D. Smith finished a strong third with 138 points as Clay County (123) and Ravenswood (112.5) rounded out the top five team scores.

The Blue Devils had consolation finals wins by 106-pounder Hunter Haddox and 144-pounder Kaige Winland.

Williamstown was aided in its repeat by third-place efforts from 150-pounder Dylan Pucella, 157-pounder Wesley Freed and 215-pounder Christian Lockhart.

Also earning consolation finals wins were Wahama’s Tyler Jordan (113), Wirt County’s Matt Balies (120), Gilmer County’s Gunner Trimble (126), Clay County’s Landon Delwarte (132), Bulldog Trey McDonough (138), Eagle Brodi Smarr (165), Panthers Eddy Metheney (175) and Cameron Nelson (190) as well as Ravenswood heavyweight Issac Simmons.