California Baptist wrestling sits at the center of a growing fight over opportunity, access, and the future of Olympic sports. Nolan Kistler, a multiple-time All-American and CBU alumnus, breaks down why the program matters—not just to Southern California wrestlers, but to first-generation college students, faith-based education, and a region with tens of thousands of high school athletes and only one Division I option. From family legacy to community impact, the case for keeping CBU wrestling goes far beyond wins and losses.
 
The conversation also digs into the realities behind program cuts, Title IX misconceptions, and what organized resistance looks like when a sport is pushed to the margins. With more than $1 million raised toward a $20 million endowment goal, the Keep CBU Wrestling movement is gaining momentum, aiming for a seat at the table rather than a final verdict. At stake is not just one program, but the broader survival of Olympic sports and pathways that wrestling has long provided.

www.keepcbuwrestling.com 

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Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 797 –Recorded February 9, 2026.

Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news
 
Links to Follow
Join the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discord
Daily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/news
Contribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contribute
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline
 
The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound
Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime