HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING: ELMIRA'S DONAVAN SMITH EARNS ALL-AMERICAN HONORS (2023-03-25)

Southern Tier Sports Report
VIRGINIA BEACH — Elmira senior Donavan Smith earned All-American status Saturday morning, and will wrestle for fifth-place here Sunday at the National High School Coaches Association Junior High Nationals.

Smith, the fifth seed in the Senior Division 145-pound bracket, was 3-0 on Friday to advance to the quarterfinals, where he earned a hard-fought, 6-5, win over Tyler Xavier McKnight of Georgia to guarantee a top-six finish and All-American status. (The top eight in each weight class are All-Americans.)

Smith hit on a four-point move in the closing seconds of the first period, and led 4-0, but McKnight stormed back with an escape, and a pair of takedowns in the second period to tie the match at 5-5, heading into the final two minutes.

Smith escaped 16 seconds into the third period, and was able to fend off McKnight’s takedown attempts for the remainder of the match to preserve the win.

In the semifinals, Smith squared off with ninth-seeded Tyler Tracy, who thumped top-seeded Patrick Jordon in a 15-2 major decision in the quarterfinals.

After a scoreless first period, Tracy scored a quick escape in the second period, and added a takedown with 32 seconds remaining to take a 3-0 lead into the third period.

Smith escaped midway through the third period to close the gap to 3-1, but Tracy recorded a takedown moments later to make it 5-1.

Smith registered another escape with 20 seconds remaining, but Tracy iced the win with a takedown in the closing seconds.

In the consolation semifinals, Elijah Larsen forged a 9-0 major decision over Smith.

Smith will square off with Giovanni Alejandro of East Rutherford Sunday in the fifth-place match.