Numerous Maryland wrestlers impressed on Sunday at the George Mason Patriot Open. But as he’s been all season, Jaxon Smith was the headliner for the Terps.

The No. 7 184-pounder continued his unbeaten start to the season in his new weight class, finishing first and picking up a win over a top-10 opponent. Smith led the way for Maryland, who saw two other wrestlers place second and a pair place fifth at their respective weight classes.

Jaxon Smith cruises to championship

Smith’s strong start to the campaign continued with easy victories in his first two matches on Sunday, winning by major decision and a fall to cruise to the finals.

There, the redshirt junior faced his second ranked opponent of the season — Cornell senior Chris Foca, ranked No. 9 on Intermat. Foca found a quick takedown for a 3-0 lead — the first time Smith has trailed this season — and rode out most of the period before Smith found a late escape.

Smith found his offense after that point of the bout. Two slick takedowns in the second period gave him a 7-5 lead. In the third, Smith started from the bottom and escaped, and now had Foca on his back foot. Smith secured two more takedowns to separate himself en route to a 14-7 victory and a championship at the class.

[Maryland wrestling demolishes Morgan State, 43-3, continues unbeaten start]

Dario Lemus continues an excellent start to the season

Derio Lemus has had limited action for the Terps this season at the 141-pound class, only competing in two matches, but has been dominant with big offensive outputs. The redshirt freshman continued his strong start to the campaign on Sunday.

Lemus opened a bout against Appalachian State redshirt freshman Aldo Hernandez. Lemus’ offense — three takedowns, some nearfall points and a few minutes of riding time — was too much for Hernandez as Lemus advanced to the quarterfinals.

Virginia Tech redshirt freshman Jack Bastarrika gave Lemus a little more trouble but not enough to do much damage. Lemus had a huge first period, taking Bastarrika down three times, before essentially going on defense for the rest of the match for a 10-7 decision.

Lemus faced Franklin and Marshall’s Bryce Kresho in the semifinals. Lemus once again jumped ahead in the first, picking up three slick takedowns over the junior, and eventually won to advance to the finals.

Brown junior Ian Oswalt ended Lemus’ success in the tournament. Lemus found the first takedown, but Oswalt escaped and fought back, taking Lemus down in the second after a slam onto Lemus’ back that led to a fall victory.

[Maryland wrestling’s weight class changes have led to a hot start]

Chase Mielnik remains a pin machine

Redshirt senior Chase Mielnik entered Sunday’s action on a hot stretch. He won four of his last five matches, including fall victories in each of the past two.

Mielnik, who received a first round bye in the 197-pound class, faced Drexel senior Ibrahim Ameer in his first match of the day in the round of 16. Mielnik stuffed an Ameer attempt at a takedown, rotating to end up on Ameer’s back with his own takedown. Mielnik then trapped Ameer’s leg and twisted him onto his back, notching his third straight pin in as many matches.

Mielnik’s second match was a near copy of his first one against Gardner-Webb junior Josh McCutchen. McCutchen shot first but Mielnik sprawled well and got underhooks, which he used to flip McCutchen to his back and hold him for another pin.

In the semifinals, Mielnik’s pin streak finally ended with Rider junior Steyne De Lange. The match was a defensive slog — Mielnik was the only one to find a takedown, picking up a powerful single leg in the second that proved to be the difference.

Mielnik faced Virginia graduate Michael Battista in the finals. Mielnik fell behind early, getting taken down within the opening two minutes, and never seemed to gain any offensive rhythm. Battista stuffed all his offensive attempts, eventually finding another takedown to cruise to an 8-3 win.