[Sly Fox]

From the official site:

Castro Unveils Wrestling Roster Featuring Nationally-Ranked Recruiting Class



June 27, 2006
Lynchburg, Va.

Liberty wrestling head coach Jesse Castro announced his roster for the newly reinstated program for the upcoming 2006-07 season, including a nationally-recognized recruiting class. The Flames recruiting class has been named among the Top 25 in the nation for Division I schools according to the web site Intermat Wrestling.

With a solid foundation built upon the 2006-07 recruiting class, Castro believes the reinstated program is off to a good start. "To start from scratch has been challenging. The program is attracting some very accomplished wrestlers who are looking for a Christian education,” stated Castro. “It is exciting for us to be named among some of the premier programs in Division I wrestling."

The Liberty wrestling programs returns after a 12-year hiatus as the school sponsored the sport from 1974 to 1994 under coaches Bob Bonhiem and Don Shuler. The reinstatement of the program has been aided by the support of the Liberty Wrestling alumni and fan base. Liberty Founder and Chancellor, Dr. Jerry Falwell has stated "In years past, Liberty built a wrestling tradition that was a very positive influence on this campus and we are committed to a return to excellence in this program". Wrestling becomes Liberty’s 18th NCAA Division I sport with its return to this fall.

The program will mark its return to competition on Saturday, November 4 in a quad match with Anderson, Gardner Webb and host Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

The Flames roster has 27 wrestlers from 12 different states. Nine members of Castro’s first squad hail from the Commonwealth of Virginia, while five others come from the neighboring state of West Virginia.

The Liberty roster follows:

125 lbs. - Christian Smith – Chesapeake, Va.
· 2004 ACC Champion at Duke
· Three-time Virginia State Prep Champion

Daniel Earley – Columbus, Ohio
· 2005 Ohio State Champion
· Second at 2005 Senior Nationals

Sean Katz – Chesapeake, Va.
· Finished fourth in 2005 Virginia State Tournament

Josh Nolan – Bedford, Va.
· 2005 Virginia State Qualifier


133 lbs. - Dan Anthony – Lynchburg, Va.
· Two-time Virginia State Champion (2004, 2005)

Zach McCray – Parkersburg, W. Va.
· 2005 West Virginia State Runner-up
Charles Staumbach – Lisbon Falls, Maine
· Two-time Maine State Champion

Dustin Hicks – Gainesville, Ga.
· 2005 Georgia A State Championship
· 2006 Georgia Runner-up

Anthony Emana – Lanexa, Va.
· Two-time Virginia State Qualifier

141 lbs. - Timothy Harner – Norristown, Pa.
· 2005 NCAA Qualifier at Rider
· Three-time Pennsylvania State Placer (3rd in 2005 and 2004, 5th in 2003)

Brandon Holbert – Strasburg, Va.
· Two-time Virginia State Champion (2004 and 2005)

Ryan McDonnell – Cooper City, Fla.
· Florida state qualifier

149 lbs. - Aaron Kelley – Mineral Wells, W. Va.
· 2006 West Virginia State Champion

Sam Walters – Hereford, Pa.
· 2004, 2005 Pennsylvania State qualifier
Colt Franklin – Cape Coral, Fla.
· Florida State Qualifier

157 lbs. - Shaun Smith – Washington, W. Va.
· 2004 West Virginia State Champion
· 2005 West Virginia State Runner-up

Josh Mason – Wirtz, Va.
· Virginia State Qualifier (06)

165 lbs. - Chad Porter – Washington, W. Va.
· Two-time West Virginia State Champion (2004 and 2006)
· Two-time West Virginia State Runner-up (2003 and 2005)

Joseph Son – Lawrenceville, Ga.
· Finished third in 2006 Georgia State Tournament

174 lbs - Kyle Walters – Parkersburg, W. Va.
· Two-time West Virginia Champion (2004-05)

Jonathan Campbell – Glassboro, N.J.
· New Jersey State Qualifier (06)

184 lbs. - Rory Bosek – Stanardsville, Va.
· Finished fifth in 2004 Maryland State Tournament

Cory Vastbinder – Indiana, Pa.
· 2006 Pennsylvania Regional placer

197 lbs. - Tyler Ryan – Loma, Colo.
· 2004 Colorado State Runner-up

275 lbs.- Patrick Walker – Newark, Del.
· 2002 Delaware State Champion

Ed Lynch – Lovingston, Va.
· 2004 Virginia State Champion

Judson Miller – Cottondale, Ala.
· 2006 Alabama State Runner-up

http://libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID= ... 43&TeamID=

[Stevev]

We should be competitive right away with a lineup like that. Seems like an excellent recruiting class expecially since it is nationally ranked with some solid transfers. No reason we can't pick up where we left off when we dropped the program with the potential to go much higher. I have to admit that my knowledge of wrestling has diminished since we dropped the program but it is time to start taking an interest in this program.

[Baldspot]

Just reading thru the football roster and noticed Nick Hursky, Soph, 6-1, 225 lbs went 30-1 during his senior year in the WPIAL (Western PA) and placed 3rd in the PA State Wrestling Tourney. Those are big time credentials that usually land a person in a top D1 program. Looks like as a freshman on the football team, he had double digit tackles in several games with 19 against Norfolk St.

Wonder if he'd be interested in being a two sport guy?

[TallyW]

I don't know if that's possible with the overlap and with coach Rocco...


As for the roster... I'm very impressed. For the coach to recruit at this level with nothing more than "hey, we're new... come build with us"... that's very impressive. To me it shows how well the University sells itself to these atheletes. When you have state champions coming to LU and a former ACC champion... that's a fantastic showing. I'm looking forward to following this program much closer in the future. Wrestling is HUGE here in Hampton Roads. Many of the kids in our church attend Great Bridge High which is a perennial powerhouse in wrestling. I loved seeing so many kids from in-state.

Great job coach!

[Restlin4Him]

Just for the record... Christian Smith was not a 3x VA Prep State Champion. He went to Western Branch High School, in Chesapeake, VA, which is a AAA school. Therefore, he was a 3x VA AAA State Champion.

[PAmedic]

thanks for the clarification and welcome aboard R4H

great to have more of you guys on here

post away!

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for the clarification and welcome to our corner of the web.

[TDDance234]

I'll tell you what, Mr. Castro can go out and recruit. He spoke in a few of my classes last Fall semester and I was extremely impressed with his communication of his goals and mission of this team. It speaks in his ability to land some quality kids.

Welcome back, wrasslin' fans!