By: Jamie Smith | Staff Writer
Men’s Wrestling | University of Lynchburg Athletics
Joining the roster as the 26th intercollegiate sport at the University of Lynchburg, the men’s wrestling team provides not only new opportunities for students to participate within campus, but another group of Hornets to root for. The team, which practices at a new 12,000-square-foot facility at Crosswhite Athletic Club, is led by head coach Vincent Barber.
Barber, who served as assistant and head coach for University of the Ozarks men’s and women’s wrestling teams for over six years, is confident in his team’s ability to flourish on and off the mat.
“We plan on being a top-25 team in the country, along with a trip to the NCAA Championships and collecting some accolades there. Off the mat, we are shooting for a top-10 finish academically and double-digit Academic All-Americans,” said Barber.
With a strong intention to succeed in the classroom, the older members of the wrestling team are currently stepping up to become leaders on the brand new team. With a majority of the team being freshmen, the upperclassmen transfer students have been put in a unique position to lead their younger team members.
“There’s a lot of guys trying to step up and be the loud voice that keeps everyone’s attitudes up. It’s helped us get adjusted to a new program and has helped make the entire team feel connected,” said freshman Johnathan Gretz.
Being the new addition to the roster of varsity sports at University of Lynchburg comes with its own pressures. However, team members like freshman Jayden Cuevas said, “I feel there’s more excitement than pressure. We’re a new program that the university has added and every single one of us are super stoked to add to the success here at the University of Lynchburg.”
As wrestling season nears, coaches and wrestlers alike are eager to prove themselves worthy of the Hornet reputation within the ranks of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
For more information about Lynchburg Wrestling, visit https://lynchburgsports.com/sports/wrestling
