Flames wrestle way to second NCWA National Duals crown

Liberty University’s wrestling team captured its second NCWA National Duals championship in its four seasons in the league in impressive fashion, Saturday at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center in Dalton, Ga.

The Flames, ranked No. 1 in the NCWA since the start of the season, finished 6-0, winning Friday’s first three bouts in routs and Saturday’s quarterfinal match over North Florida by a convincing 54-12 count. Liberty survived its toughest test of the tournament in the semifinals against fourth-seeded Central Florida, advancing to the finals with a 23-15 triumph.

Then in the championship final against Mid-Atlantic Conference rival Apprentice School, a rematch of the Flames’ 40-12 first-round win over the Builders in the Jan. 10 Virginia Duals, Liberty won nine of 11 matches, including two by fall and one by forfeit, in a 37-9 blowout.

With 24 bonus points for capturing the NCWA National Duals team title, the top-ranked Flames will be considered favorites heading into the final event of the season, the NCWA National Championships, March 12-14 in Allen, Texas.

• Read the full story on Liberty’s Club Sports website.