- December 7th, 2006, 10:17 am
#46027
EDIT by PAmedic: Originally called "Wrestling Program Garners Attention from Local Fishwrap
And its not written by the Chris you would expect:
It seems odd to run this story now. Is it from a stringer?
And its not written by the Chris you would expect:
Flames wrestling to build a quality programhttp://www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Sate ... th=!sports
By Chris Humphreys
Lynchburg News & Advance
December 7, 2006
The Liberty University wrestling program took another important step in its re-establishment as a university sponsored sport on Nov. 22. The Flames hosted their first home wrestling meet since 1994, when the program was dropped for 11 years, and the scene at the Vines Center was as much a celebration as a competition.
"Having those mats back on the floor sent chills down my back," LU coach Jesse Castro said. "It's been too long and this was a landmark for us as we build our program."
Castro should know. He posted a 101-20-2 career record for Liberty from 1977-81 and was the first four-time national champion of the National Christian Collegiate Association history.
During his senior season, he went 29-5-1 and placed fourth at the NAIA national championships. Castro also served as an assistant coach for the Flames from 1983-88.
"As both a graduate and a former wrestler, it's great having wrestling back at Liberty," Castro said. "We really are living our dream right now."
"We have a lot of young guys that a have a dream and know it's only going to get better from here," Flames' 141-pound wrestler Tim Harner said. "Today was good day (for the program) and we are still undefeated at home."
Liberty swept all three matches of the quad-meet. The Flames defeated Newberry 26-14, James Madison 29-14 and Campbellsville 27-16 and improved to 7-4 in this year of rebirth.
"I'm pleased with how this first year is going," Castro said. "I didn't even have a reference point for this season. We really didn't know what to expect but I was hoping to be around .500. But, we are 7-4 right now and it is safe to say we've exceeded expectations so far."
"It's a really exciting time," Flames' heavyweight Pat Walker said. "It's great to see how each of these guys progressed from the start of the year and to go 3-0 in our first meet at home was special."
Though the wrestling program had the plug pulled once, it now appears to have the university's full support and has come a long way since it the program was reinstated on Feb. 24, 2005.
"We have a long way to go but we are off to a good start," Castro said. "The administration has been so supportive. Dr. (Jerry) Falwell obviously loves the sport and he is behind us fully."
But Castro is taking nothing for granted and working really hard to grow the sport in an area of the country where wrestling largely goes unnoticed.
"We want to grow the fan base and gain the support of the community," Castro said. "We want to establish an interest and a connection in Liberty University to the community. We still have two home matches left this season (Jan. 30 against King College and Feb. 15 against VMI). I would love for everyone to come out and support a Division I wrestling program in their midst."
The Flames also are off to a good start on the mat, but Castro knows it going to take some time to build the kind of program he envisions.
"Our athletes have the dream and they know what we are trying to accomplish," Castro said. "We just need to take it one step at a time."
It seems odd to run this story now. Is it from a stringer?