ALLEN, TX (WVDN) – Greenbrier West alumnus Logan Robertson ascended to the top of the wrestling world Saturday evening winning the National Collegiate Wrestling Association’s 133 lb. championship.
Robertson, wrestling for Liberty University, defeated Zachary Foote of the Iowa State Wrestling Club 2-0 in the gold medal match at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas.
Robertson opened the 2022 NCWA championship with an 18-0 technical fall over Northeastern’s Raymond Zhuo. Robertson followed that shutout with a 9-0 major decision over Michael Hazelton of Macomb Community College. Seventh-seed Cody Castelline of Grand Valley State was the next to succumb, losing a tight, 2-0 decision in the quarter-final round when Robertson chalked up a third period escape. Robertson bested six seed Michael Gonzalez of Springfield Community and Technical College in the semis, securing a takedown at 1:47 of overtime to win 5-3. Ironically, Robertson would again score at the 1:47 mark in the championship match, slipping free for a second period escape. That escape, and riding time, would secure the 2-0 championship victory.
In addition to Robertson’s individual title, Liberty won their fourth consecutive Collegiate Cup. The Flames, in only their 11th season, secured their fifth team title, tying Grand Valley State for the most all-time. Liberty had six other wrestlers win individual championships, also establishing a program record.
“I knew we were the best team there, and I felt like I was the best 133-pounder there. If I could keep focus, I’d be hard to beat,” said Robertson.
There were some surprises in the bracket along the way. Robertson anticipated a rubber match with Dillon Messick from The Apprentice School who he had met twice earlier in the season. Robertson defeated Messick 15-8 at the NCWA National Duals in January while Messick won 4-3 in the NCWA Mid-Atlantic Conference finals. Messick, though, would be upset before reaching the finals.
Reflecting on the conference finals match between the two, Robertson said, “the close calls just didn’t go my way but, in my mind, I felt like I was better than him.” Robertson wouldn’t have the opportunity to settle that score.
Robertson was the 2016 Class AA/A 126 lb. state champion for Greenbrier West. In addition to his state title, Robertson was a three-time Region III champion and a three-time Coalfield Conference champion as a member of the Cavaliers. Robertson won his first regional title, and fourth overall, as a freshman at Shady Spring.
Robertson began his collegiate career at WVU Tech in Beckley. Robertson didn’t compete his freshman year while at Tech, considered a redshirt season by the NAIA. Robertson resumed his career the following season. As a junior member of the Golden Bears, Robertson earned Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Wrestler of the Week honors twice. Robertson became the AAC 133 lb. runner-up and competed in the 2020 NAIA Wrestling Championships in Park City, Kansas. The National Wrestling Coaches Association named Roberston a Scholar All-American following the 2020 campaign. With another year of eligibility left, Robertson transferred to Liberty as a graduate student. The championship came in Robertson’s fifth year, an extra year of eligibility granted by the governing body due to COVID cancelling the 2021 season. The NAIA experience helped Robertson at the NCWA level. Robertson felt like the NAIA was a more difficult division to compete in.
Robertson has his undergraduate degree from WVU Tech in athletic coaching and education. Robertson will complete his master’s in human performance from Liberty later this spring. After completion of his degree, and now that his wrestling career is complete, he’d like to start coaching and substitute teaching at the high school level, hopefully at Greenbrier West.
“I’d really like to get my foot in the door, hopefully with the varsity team at Greenbrier West,” he said.
Robertson’s family has a long history of coaching at Greenbrier West. His grandfather, Butch, was a football, basketball, and track coach in Charmco when the school opened in 1968. He still assists the basketball team to this day. Robertson’s uncle, Jared, is the current head coach of the basketball team, an assistant on the football staff, and serves as the school’s athletic director. Robertson’s father Joe has coached softball for the Cavaliers.
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