Roanoke, Va. -- University of Lynchburg wrestler Josiah Sykes took down the nationally fourth-ranked Taylor Smith by a 13-7 decision as Lynchburg fell to Roanoke, 36-8, on Thursday night in the Cregger Center.

Sykes and Michael Byrne each earned victories for the Hornets (1-1) in tonight's meet against the No. 3 Maroons (1-0). Freshman Sykes nailed three takedowns in the opening period while letting his opponent escape three times in the first three minutes. With a 9-3 advantage heading into the second frame, Smith got out after starting on bottom, but Sykes notched another takedown before the end of the period. Although Smith got a takedown in the final period after starting in neutral, Sykes came out with the match win.

Byrne defeated Ashton-Michael Ritz at 174 pounds as he earned a tech fall in seven minutes flat, 17-2. Byrne claimed the only points of the first period with a takedown and two back points. After one takedown for Byrne in the second period, he started on bottom in the third and earned a reversal to begin the frame. He let up Ritz twice and powered to two more takedowns to secure the tech fall.

Roanoke won the first four bouts. At 125 pounds, Donte Majors fell to Isiac Paulino by a 15-0 technical fall in 3:47. Emmons Tewalt recorded three escapes at 133 before Jude Robson won by fall in 1:55. Parker Withers scored an escape in each period of his 18-3 technical fall loss to Jonah Paulino at 141. At 149, Chris Foster recorded a first-period escape before Drew Montgomery secured a 16-1 technical fall in 6:55.

Grant Kress scored an escape in each period of his 16-3 major-decision loss to Cade Parent at 165. Jacob Reigel recorded two third-period escapes in a 14-2 major decision loss to Hunter Moore at 184. At 197, Joe Burch scored a third-period takedown in a 15-6 major decision loss to Brock Sullivan. Peter Savarino closed the dual with four escapes in an 11-4 decision loss to Lorenzo Pellot-Vázquez at 285.

Next up, Lynchburg will host Johnson & Wales (RI) in Turner Gymnasium on Friday, November 20 at 2 p.m.

Visit Lynchburg athletics' home online, LynchburgSports.com, anytime for up-to-date news on all Hornets sports and coverage from the Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network.

Sign up here to receive Lynchburg Sports news in your email inbox.

Give Lynchburg Sports a like on Facebook, and follow Lynchburg Athletics on Instagram and X.