Liberty Men’s Wrestling Gains Unprecedented Fourth Consecutive NCWA Grand National Title

In a show of pure dominance, the Liberty men’s wrestling team became the first team to accumulate four consecutive NCWA Grand National Tournament Championships. 

The Flames traveled to Allen, Texas, and flew through the competition March 10-12, amassing 229 points, which surpassed their previous record of 228 points from 2020.

“We peaked at the right time,” 17-year veteran Head Coach Jesse Castro said. “We blew the minds of our competition that we were that dominate.” 

The experienced team fed off its outstanding individual performances, with seven of its eight finalists gaining individual championships. Seniors Jeff Allen, Blake Barrick and Dante Mininno led the pack with Allen winning his third national title in a row.

“A fourth straight championship sets us up to form a dynasty in the NCWA,” Barrick said. “To win individually is great, but winning as a team is a whole other feeling. We train hard as one unit, so it is gratifying that we would also achieve success as one unit.” 

Barrick opened the championship finals in the 184-pound weight class and overcame the competition to score a 7-3 decision victory for the Flames.

“He very well could have lost that match had he not had the grit to hold his position and find a way to win,” Castro said about Barrick’s well-fought victory.

Josiah Murphy, 197-pound weight class, won his championship before by junior heavyweight Rick Weaver did the same. Joining Allen as the only members of the team with championship final experience, Weaver won his title with a 5-0 decision to finish his dominate season.

In one of the most exciting decisions of the championship, senior Dante Mininno escaped a 5-1 deficit to claim the Flames’ fifth consecutive championship with a 10-6 decision.

“It’s a great feeling to be on a championship team and to see my teammates reach their goals. Our guys work hard day-in and day-out, and every member of the team contributed to this accomplishment,” Mininno said.

Graduate Logan Robertson and eighth-seeded junior Ian Mcllhenny capped of the Flames’ championship run and brought home the hardware. 

The Flames’ incredible success on the mats remains unprecedented. 

“It was just about trusting our training and enjoying the process,” Mininno said about the victory. “Putting our faith in God and knowing that we are doing this for him is the foundation for what our program is built on.” 

Castro has built a legacy of success on and off the mats and encourages his team to invest not only in their performance on the mats, but also their spiritual and academic lives. He also has garnered the respect and support of the community around the wrestling team.

“The success of Liberty wrestling is associated with not only the guys’ efforts and the coaching staff, but also the support systems in play,” Castro said. “Parents, club sports, alumni and the university administration that recognizes that what we are doing is important.” 

The Liberty wrestling team highly anticipates making another run for the championship next season as the team is returning most of its talent.

“We have the talent and the work ethic, so there is no reason why we can’t dominate even more next year,” Barrick said.

Shealy is a sports reporter. Follow him on Twitter

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