Get ready to go belly to belly with Liberty University’s Director of Wrestling, Coach Jesse Castro! 🏆🔥 We’re diving into Liberty’s powerhouse wrestling tradition, the evolution of the NCWA, and why club wrestling is the best-kept secret in college athletics.

🚨 What you’ll hear in this episode:
✅ Coach Castro’s incredible journey from California to Liberty and coaching at the highest levels
✅ The real deal on NCWA wrestling and why it’s an elite-level opportunity for student-athletes
✅ Liberty’s top-tier training facilities and what makes its campus a hidden gem for recruits
✅ The NIL era and its impact on college wrestling across all divisions
✅ Why women’s wrestling is growing fast at Liberty and across the nation
✅ Stories about wrestling legends, faith, and life lessons on the matWhether you’re a high school wrestler, college recruit, or die-hard fan, this episode is packed with wrestling insights, recruiting advice, and untold stories that you don’t want to miss.

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🔗 Follow Liberty Men’s Wrestling @libertymwrestling and Liberty Women’s Wrestling @luwomenwrestling on Instagram!


Podcast Show Notes:📌 Episode Breakdown:
0:00 - Why we’re spotlighting Junior College & Club Wrestling Programs
2:20 - Welcome Coach Jesse Castro! His journey from California to Liberty
6:02 - How Coach Castro fell in love with wrestling watching Dan Gable
10:04 - Moving 3,000 miles in the back of a pickup to wrestle at Liberty!
24:52 - Building a championship program at Kingsway High School in NJ
33:05 - The revival of Liberty Wrestling & transitioning to the NCWA
39:42 - What makes NCWA wrestling a hidden gem for college wrestlers
47:00 - Liberty’s top academic programs & why the campus sells itself
55:49 - Liberty’s 125-pound standout Aiden Shingara & recruiting pipeline
56:54 - Is NIL hurting college wrestling? How it’s reshaping the sport
1:04:46 - Women’s wrestling at Liberty & the sport’s rapid rise
1:09:05 - Final thoughts on growing the NCWA & the future of Liberty wrestling

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