Flames wrestlers dueling in Texas for national title

Sixteen members of Liberty University’s wrestling team and its coaching staff are competing in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) Grand National Championships, which started today and runs through Saturday night at the Allen (Texas) Event Center.

Coming off a sixth consecutive Mid-Atlantic Conference tournament title, Liberty will aim to claim its second NCWA Grand National team championship in three seasons by dethroning top-ranked Emmanuel (Ga.) College. The defending champion Lions — who also won the Jan. 27-28 NCWA Dual Nationals tournament held at Liberty’s LaHaye Ice Center, defeating the host Flames in the finals — are transitioning to the NCAA Division II level next season.

“We’re clearly an underdog to win this thing, there’s no doubt. But anything can happen,” Flames Head Coach Jesse Castro said. “I’m encouraged, and we’re excited about what’s ahead of us here. We’re looking for big things. We have an outside shot, with the help of a lot of other programs, to upset Emmanuel.”

Castro also expects Grand Valley State, Central Florida, and The Apprentice School — Liberty’s top rival in the MAC — to be contenders for top-three team finishes.

He said the Flames’ strongest weight classes run from 141 to 184 pounds, though 133-pound freshman Ashton Robinson, 235-pound senior Charlie Hancock, and sophomore heavyweight Dominick Johnson also have excellent shots to earn All-American status with top-eight finishes.

Tournament action is being streamed live by FloWrestling for a fee.

Read a full tournament preview on Liberty’s Club Sports website.

Flames seedings for NCWA Grand National Championships
Complete brackets are available online

133 pounds: Ashton Robinson (No. 12)
141: Tyler Sigler (No. 3)
149: Brandon Robinson (No. 4), Ike Podell (No. 15)
157: Andrew Burgette (No. 8)
165: Patrick Scarborough (No. 4), Richard Cerebe (No. 6)
174: Josh Ferenczy (No. 1), Samuel Karel (No. 15)
184: Taylor Westlake (No. 5), Josh McIllhenny (No. 22)
197: Austin Amos (No. 16), David Trigg (No. 35)
235: Charlie Hancock (No. 6)
HWT: Dominick Johnson (No. 5), Thomas Bartholomew (No. 23)