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Wrestling Star Battled Through Injuries

Determined tocontinue hislifetime ofwrestling, senior Christian Smith overcame major injuriesand attended two different colleges before he took the opportunity towrestlewith theFlames

"Ihave been wrestling since I was fouryears old,"Smith said, "so essentially, my entire life My fatherwrestled for Liberty when he was incollege, and he coached me."

Smith losttwo years ofcompetition due to injuries, transferring and a paperwork mix-up Because ofthis, he was granted a rare sixthyear ofcompetition from the NCAA

After having a 91percent winning record during high school,Smith began wrestling forDuke University where he was named "Freshman of the Year."During hissecond year there, a shoulder injury resulted ina medical redshirtcausing him to sit out for the remainder ofthe season

The following year, Smith transferred toVirginia Tech Before the season started, he torethe meniscus inhisknee, preventing him from even standing "While trying toavoid sitting out another season due to injuries, my coaches and I agreed totake my cartilage out altogether, with hopes of being abletocompete that season,"Smith said. The surgery went well, but when he tried to startwrestling again, he torethe other side ofthe meniscus

Around thattime, Smith learned ofthe Flames reinstating theirwrestling program,which he claimed he had prayed forinhigh school "My father wrestled forLiberty and 1 had always desired to attend and compete for a universitywith which Ishared the same beliefsand values,"he said

After making the decision totransfer, Smith had to sit out of competition fora full year because ofthe NCA A transferrule Despite missing half the season when the program was officiallyreinstated, he qualified for the NCA A National Championship at125pounds

Smith's teammates believed he was a trueteam player "I know he would go out ofhisway tohelp others and willdo anything he can tohelp contribute tothe team,"Chris Daggett, senior, said Senior Tim Harner agreed, explaining Smith'svalue tothe team Harner said, "Christian isa leader, whether he knows itor not."

What hasbeen themost difficultaspect of wrestling and how have you been able to overcome thosetrials?

"The most difficultaspect ofmy wrestling experience isadjusting tothe higher level ofcompetition that Division I wrestling is compared tohigh school Also, just being abletocompete with thebest guys inthenation is a challenge I have been abletomeet thechallenges I have faced because ofgreat teammates that have been thereforme, whether it was an extra workout that I needed tomake weight orjustthemotivation during a match," Sean Katz, JR

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What hasbeen themost rewarding aspect ofbeing a part ofthe wrestling team?

"Ithasbeen rewarding toseethechanges inallthelives oftheLibertywrestling team members including myself. So many peoplecame heretomerely wrestleand had little intenton having arelationship with theLORD,butthathas definitely changed throughout my threeyears here Of course I do enjoy winning matches and celebrating victorieswiththeteam butthere isnothing more fulfilling than knowing that I will seethese guys in heaven someday There is much thanks due tobe giventoCoach Sole Coach Castroand

"First ofall, I justlove playinggames Butduring "My goal is toown my own restaurant one hall meeting, it'sa greatwaytospce things upand day, and my dream is to be interactwithpeoplethatyou'venevermetbuthave and been livingon thesamehall."-CarmenGooder.JR