Liberty Flames Wrestling team wins NCWA national tournament 28-18

The Liberty men’s wrestling team accomplished something previously unaccomplished in club wrestling on the weekend of Jan. 25 and 26 in
Mesquite, Nevada. 

The Flames became the first team to repeat as champions in the annual NCWA Duals Tournament, engineering a dramatic come from behind, 28-18 victory over second seeded The Apprentice School. It was the second time that the two rivals had met in tournaments this year, with the other encounter being a consolation matchup Jan. 11 and 12 at the Virginia Duals. 

Head Coach Jesse Castro was elated with the Flames win and saw the tournament victory as milestone achievement for the program. 

“I’m very pleased with the result,” Castro said. “It has been a goal of the coaching staff for the past three years.” 

Liberty’s upperclassmen served as the catalyst for the thrilling comeback. With the Flames trailing 15-0, sophomore Chad Cantrell won his matchup with Apprentice’s Tristan Mabe at 149 pounds with a 10-5 decision. Consecutive wins by juniors Andrew Burgette at 157 pounds and Jeremy Mosely at 174 pounds brought Liberty within 18-14, and Liberty did not surrender another point. 

Castro gave high praise to the consistency of his upper to middle weight class wrestlers, which also include Austin Amos and Jeffery Allen.  

“The upper to middle class has been the bread and butter of our lineup,” Castro said. “From 149 (pounds) on up, we’re hard to beat.” 

Amos and Allen did their fair share in contributing to the outcome for the Flames. Weighing in at 197 pounds, Amos defeated Dan Henson 6-1 and gave Liberty its first lead of the match at 21-18. Allen followed that win with a 14-2 decision over Ross Graham, which clinched the team title for Liberty with a final score of 28-18. 

Freshman Carter Ellis was thrilled once he saw Allen get the final pin to officially win the tournament, but he said the team made it a priority to display proper sportsmanship after obtaining the team title. 

“We really made a point as a team to not over celebrate at that time because the dual wasn’t over even though we had (it) at that point,” Ellis said. “We really wanted to make it a point to not gloat and to be the best Christian (testimony) we could be … and not take all that glory upon ourselves.” 

While Ellis said Liberty attempted to display adequate sportsmanship, he enjoys the hard work that the Flames put into their tournaments, and the results they got because of that hard work and their teamwork. 

“I’ve never been a part of a team or club with the work ethic that is ingrained in you the first few weeks in wrestling,” Ellis said. “We’re always pushing each other to do better.” 

The success that the Flames enjoy is a result of many hours of grueling training, and the standard is set by upperclassmen like Cantrell, Amos and Allen. They have been mainstays for the wrestling team during their time here and have been pivotal in its success in the duals and in other tournaments.  

Castro said the legacy that these wrestlers have left will have positive repercussions for the program moving forward. 

“When a program establishes a level of success, the individual that establishes that momentum carries on with it a legacy to the new players,” Castro said. “When done correctly, it can be reproduced … and you have a recipe for a winning program.” 

The Flames  hope to continue their wining ways as the season winds down. Their next event will be a duals meet at Coker College Thursday, Feb. 14 in Hartsville, South Carolina.