Justin Root ranks third all-time at Dixon (N.C.) High School with 154 career victories.
Flames wrestling roster stacked for 2025-26 season after bumper recruiting class
7/14/2025 10:28:00 AM | Men's Wrestling
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Christian Knuckles, a Rhode Island College NCAA Division III transfer, and Justin Root, who won 154 matches for his high school in North Carolina, highlight a deep and talented group.
The incoming recruiting class for Liberty University's men's wrestling team — the last assembled by Head Coach Jesse Castro, who is retiring this summer — is one of the largest and strongest in recent program history.
It includes wrestlers with tremendous potential to help the Flames contend for Mid-Atlantic Conference and NCWA National Duals and Grand National individual and team titles over the next four years under the direction of a new head coach.
Christian Knuckles, a sophomore transfer from Rhode Island College
Besides Brown University NCAA Division I transfer Braden Ewing, Central Oklahoma NCAA Division II transfer Jose Flores, two-time VHSL Group 5A state champion Brodie Altman from Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, and VHSL 4A state champion DJ Trent from nearby Jefferson Forest High School, the class of recruits also features NCAA Division III Rhode Island College sophomore transfer Christian Knuckles.
Originally from Mount Vernon, N.H. where he placed fifth as a sophomore, third as a junior, and second as a senior 144-pounder at Souhegan High School, Knuckles battled a case of mono for much of his freshman season at RIC and finished 5-5 at 157 and 149 pounds.
He visited Liberty early this summer and committed to wrestle for the Flames on site.
"Coach Castro played a big part in getting me here," said Knuckles, who also played basketball and football for six years in middle school and high school before specializing in wrestling his senior year at Souhegan. "I went down and got to meet the coaches and see the facilities. It was such a different atmosphere, and everything happened so fast. It was very spontaneous. I was looking for a fresh start, and I want to really get connected to the team and make a big impact athletically as well." Knuckles plans to complete his B.S. in Business Administration & Data Analysis through Liberty's School of Business and eventually become a financial advisor. For now, he is fully focused on advancing his wrestling career through training in the room four to five times per week as well as running and weight training.
"I hope to start and contribute to the overall atmosphere of the program," said Knuckles, who noted his specialty is wrestling out of the neutral position. "I have a lot of different takedowns and wrestle well on my feet. Leadership-wise, I like to bring people together and bring a positive atmosphere and build a sense of community."
Another highly touted incoming prospect is Justin Root from Sneads Ferry, N.C., who plans to pursue a B.S. in Film Production and Content Development and is likely to compete at 149 or 157 pounds at Liberty. After moving from California with his dad being in the military, he ended his high school career in the top five for Dixon High School with 154 wins, capped by a consolation championship victory at his fourth and final North Carolina state meet.
"I really just hope to put in the work and make people better, and hope to get better myself, to represent Christ the best I can and be able to share that with the team," said Root, who started wrestling at age 5. "I didn't really like wrestling at first, but I've fallen in love with it, and it is what I really want to do." Diego Rivera won more than 100 matches at Framingham (Mass.) High.
Owen Delgado, who was ranked in the top five in Bergen County and top 10 in the state of New Jersey at 145 to 165 pounds, finished with a 76-19 record at Ramsey High School despite being hampered by meniscus (knee) tendon, ATF (ankle) ligament, and labrum (shoulder) injuries that prevented him from competing in the state tournament. He also played linebacker in football and led his team in tackles as a senior. He plans to wrestle at Liberty while serving in its Army ROTC program and pursuing a degree through the School of Aeronautics or School of Engineering.
Incoming 157- or 165-pound wrestler Diego Rivera posted more than 100 victories at Framingham (Mass.) High School, where he was a two-time state qualifier and also played on the soccer team. He is considering pursuing a degree through the School of Business or a B.S. in Exercise Science.
Jacob Ornelas, a 165-pounder from Largo, Fla., excelled for his junior and senior seasons in club and high school, competing four hours a day through the winter, spring, and summer months after a seven-year swimming career. At Liberty, he plans to pursue a B.S. in Business Management with a minor in theology.
The class also includes Chase Roberts from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Anthony Saget from Port St. Lucie, Fla., who was a two-time district champion and three-time regional qualifier and won 80 matches in his high school career; and Liberty Christian Academy graduate Landon Starnes, a lightweight who won his regional tournament as a junior and senior at 120 pounds, going on to place fifth at the VHSL Group 3A state meet as a junior and second as a senior.
Knuckles plans to complete his B.S. in Business Administration & Data Analysis through Liberty's School of Business and eventually become a financial advisor. For now, he is fully focused on advancing his wrestling career through training in the room four to five times per week as well as running and weight training.
