[PAmedic]

now we're rollin!

Castro Announces Wrestling Transfer

January 18, 2006 · Lynchburg, Va.

Liberty University head wrestling coach Jesse Castro has announced that former Duke/Virginia Tech wrestler Christian Smith has transferred to Liberty for the spring semester. Smith will be a part of the program’s reinstated squad that is scheduled to return to competition in 2006-07 and he will have 1.5 years of eligibility left at Liberty.

“Christian Smith will be a great addition to our newly reinstated program,” remarked Castro. “He is a seasoned wrestler with NCAA Division I national experience. This experience will serve as a catalyst going into our first competitive season in twelve years. Christian is definitely a great fit as he has a heart for God and a desire to minister to the youth.”

Smith started his collegiate career at Duke where he finished the 2003-04 season with a 30-12 record and won the ACC title at 125 pounds as a freshman, earning a berth to the NCAA Tournament. He also recorded four top five finishes and tied for the national lead in falls for the 125-pound weight class.

During his sophomore season, Smith compiled a 12-5 record before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He was granted a medical redshirt for the year and finished his career at Duke with a 42-17 overall record. Smith was enrolled at Virginia Tech prior to coming to Liberty, posting a 5-7 overall record for the Hokies during the fall season.

“I am very excited to be a part of Liberty’s wrestling program,” stated Smith. “I recognize Liberty wrestling has had a great deal of success in the past. I am passionate about Liberty’s wrestling program, and I feel honored to be part of its future.”

“What more could I ask for? Liberty University’s decision to reinstate its wrestling program will create a wrestling environment that is God-focused and driven,” continued Smith. “That is what I am most excited about. My decision to transfer to Liberty was very much influenced by the desire God has put in my heart to concentrate on youth ministry. I expect great things to come from Liberty wrestling and I’m very grateful to be a part of it.”

Smith was a four-year letterwinner at Western Branch High School in his hometown of Chesapeake, Va. where he was under the direction of head coaches Brian Dugan and Bob Simon. He finished his prep career with a 176-16 record and was ranked as high as fourth in the nation by Wrestling USA Magazine as a senior.

Smith was a three-time AAA Virginia State Champion (103, 112 and 119 pounds) and was a 2002 USA Wrestling junior grand champion.

“There is a strong tie with the university through Christian’s father, Wayne Smith,” commented Castro. “Ironically, Wayne was a member of the first wrestling team here in 1975 when former wrestling coach Bob Bonheim started the program. Wayne went on to become team captain and earn All-American status his senior year.”

“As a freshman, Wayne was my senior captain. I had the utmost respect for him as a person and as a competitor. To see Christian here on campus is like déjà vu.”

[PAmedic]

Christian Smith (125lbs)

[PAmedic]

I'm telling you guys- there is unlimited potential out there. Very very good wrestlers who will come to a christian D1 school IN A HEARTBEAT due to our new (again) program.

I wanna see the graphis design for the mats.

Assuming the new multi-purpose center will house this program? I HOPE they aren't back in the old wrestling room atop Liberty Gym (Shilling)

[PAmedic]

Anybody have any info on additional recruits? Or reports of walkons, or tryouts being held on campus?

[PAmedic]

I know it seems like I'm talking to myself here, but look for some big news in the next week or so as we bring you the info straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak! Again, we will post the info just as soon as we get the wink and the nod from Coach C, so STAY TUNED!

LU WRESTLING IS BACK!

[A.G.]

That's OK, PAMedic--talking to yourself may be the only time you engage in intelligent chat on this board.

[PAmedic]

you are a truly wise man.

[PAmedic]

We will soon be hearing about the latest official signings for LU Wrestling; still awating all the paperwork- but here is some initial info:

as of the last few weeks, we had 11 that verbally committed and 12 or so more that the staff were still working on. They are attempting to sign two additional "key" kids, and hope to be competitive next year , understanding that its saying a lot in division I athletics.

(It was very exciting to hear THAT already!)

hope to have more to post soon.

[PAmedic]

Liberty Wrestling Announces Signing

May 11, 2006
Lynchburg, Va.

Liberty University head wrestling coach Jesse Castro has announced that Chad Porter has signed to attend Liberty for the 2006-07 academic year and committed to wrestle for Flames squad that is scheduled to return to competition next fall.

“We are excited to have Chad on board with us here at Liberty,” said Castro. “He is well coached and has extensive mat experience through a rigorous schedule.”

Porter, a native of Parkersburg, W.Va., will graduate from Parkersburg High School this June, where new Flames’ assistant coach Patrick Sole also coached. Porter finished his high school career with a record of 136-27 and was named a High School All-American in 2006. In his senior year, he posted a 43-4 mark, while capturing his second West Virginia State Championship. Porter also won a state championship in 2004, while being the state runner-up in 2005 and 2003.

Besides the state titles, he was the runner-up at the Reno Tournament of Champions in 2005 and placed two-times at the prestigious Ironman Wrestling Tournament.

[givemethemic]

The Liberty wrestling program continues with the addition of Patrick “Bram” Walker who will come on board as one of the Flames’ heavyweights this fall.

"Bram is an impressive young man" said Liberty head coach Jesse Castro. He brings maturity, as well as invaluable experience to our program. His heart's desire is to serve the Lord, and to go into full time ministry".

Walker, a native of Newark, Del., graduated from Newark High School in 2001. With an overall high school mark of 111-33, the 6’3”, 230 pounder was Delaware State Champion in 2000 and a state runner in 2001. Accustomed to winning, Bram was 69-3 his final two seasons at Newark High School. He also was the national runner-up in Ames, Iowa. 2000 National Freestyle Championships.

In high school, he was a three-time recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award and was named to the Delaware Academic All-State Wrestling team three times. His 3.8 GPA also earned him Newark’s Academic Excellence Award.

Walker is not only a highly decorated student-athlete, but has also served his country honorably in the military. He served in the Middle East for four years twice earning the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. Walker also earned the Ranger Tab/Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge and the National Service Medal.

[BJWilliams]

Here's others that we picked up:

Castro Announces Another Addition to Wrestling Team


May 18, 2006
Lynchburg, Va.

Liberty University head wrestling coach Jesse Castro has announced that Daniel Earley plans to attend Liberty for the 2006-07 academic year and wrestle for the Flames squad that is scheduled to return to competition next fall.

Earley, a native of Columbus, Ohio, is a graduate of St. Francis De Sales High School, where he enjoyed a distinguished mat career under wrestling coach Mark Marinelli. Earley brings ties to the Liberty wrestling program as his father Dr. David Earley wrestled on the same team as Castro during the 1977-78 season. He is the second wrestler to commit to the reinstated program with paternal ties to the Liberty program. Transfer Christian Smith being the other Liberty wrestler with paternal ties to the program.

“Daniel is another perfect fit for our University,” said Castro. “He has impressive credentials both athletically and academically. Moreover, his desire is to use his talents for the glory of God.”

A 2005 Ohio State Division II state champion, Earley finished his high school career with a 142-18 record. In 2005, he was runner-up at the Senior Nationals, while he won the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) pre-season tournament and was the runner-up at the NHSCA Summer Open in 2004. Earley also has won state freestyle and Greco championships. This season, he had the most wins on the Amy Prep team.

Besides a distinguished high school mat career, he was also successful in the classroom graduating from St. Francis De Sales with a 3.93. He was a member of the school’s National Honor Society.

Liberty Wrestling Announces Signing


May 15, 2006
Lynchburg, Va.

Liberty University head wrestling coach Jesse Castro has announced that Patrick Hogan has signed to attend Liberty for the 2006-07 academic year and committed to wrestle for Flames squad that is scheduled to return to competition next fall.

"Patrick is a very accomplished wrestler in a state that is arguably one of the more competitive wrestling states in the country,” said Castro. “There is only one classification in New Jersey with 387 schools having wrestling programs and to go undefeated in that caliber of competition is praise worthy. He will be great addition to our program not only as an athlete, but as a person with good character.”

Hogan, a native of Cranford, N.J., will graduate from Cranford High School this June, after a distinguished mat career for the Cougars. Hogan finished his high school career by capturing a New Jersey State Championship this past season. In addition, he was a three-time region champion and state qualifier.

“In the search for a college, it amazed me to see how the Lord orchestrated everything to make a way for me to attend Liberty, and I'm excited to see what he has in store for me there,” said Hogan. “I am very honored to be part of Liberty's wrestling program, and blessed to be able to wrestle for a team that loves Jesus! I think that God is going to move greatly through Liberty's newly reinstated wrestling program and I'm just so excited to be part of it!"

As a senior, Hogan was undefeated with a 32-0 mark and posted a 61-2 record over his junior and senior seasons. Along with winning the state championship this past winter, he finished the year being ranked 11th nationally by the Amateur Wrestling News. Finishing his high school career with a 107-19 overall record for Cranford, he is only the second wrestler in school history to have over 100 wins and only the fourth state champion the school has produced.