7,000+ ACRE CAMPUS
700+ PROGRAMS OF STUDY ON CAMPUS AND ONLINE
LIBERTY WRESTLING CAMP
Be there for this exciting camp, offering instruction from experienced college and high school coaches. Plus, the Liberty Wrestling team (4-time NCWA National Champions) will be on hand to assist in training. Campers will experience dorm life on the beautiful Liberty University campus while training three times a day. Technical, tactical, and physical training will be a major part of the camp. Participants will be divided into teams on the first day of camp check-in. Each day will feature breakout sessions where clinicians deliver life-application devotionals and counselors share personal testimonies.
Improve your technical skills through basic instruction, repetitive drills, and structured training sessions. A critical aspect of this camp is the integration of biblical principles into a variety of life skills. It is our desire that each camper will leave with not only a better grasp on their skills but also a deeper faith in Christ.
READ WHAT A
HIS CAMP
EXPERIENCE:
HIGH SCHOOL COACH SAID ABOUT
“Liberty Wrestling Camp offers phenomenal instruction, a low camper-to-counselor ratio, first-class facilities, and a great environment in which to grow in the sport and, more importantly, in Christ.
Each instructor, speaker, and activity is purposely thought out and planned to enhance the campers at all levels of wrestling and in life. From first-year wrestlers to seasoned veterans of the sport, this camp is designed to enhance an individual or build a team. This is just another aspect that sets Liberty Wrestling Camp apart from others.”
– Steve Cashman Gloucester High School, Va.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Overnight campers (elementary, middle, and high school) will stay in the residence halls with staff and camp counselors. Each wrestler should come prepared with the following items:
• Running shoes
• Plenty of workout clothes
• Towel and toiletries
• Sheets, blankets, and a pillow
• Extra cash in case he/she wants a snack on campus
No camper driving to the camp will be allowed to drive off campus without permission from the camp administration. Transportation to and from camp will be the responsibility of each camper except in the case of those flying into Lynchburg. In that case, prior arrangements for pickup and drop-off times from the airport must be made.
LIBERTY OPEN
The Liberty Open wrestling tournament will be held on Liberty’s campus at the conclusion of camp (July 18). It is open to all competitors, including men’s and women’s divisions.
Entry fees will be waived for campers, making it a great opportunity to compete at no additional cost. All participants must bring a valid USA Wrestling card and number to compete.
Test yourself against quality competition in a top-notch collegiate setting.
COACHING STAFF
CHRIS WILLIAMSON
Head Coach
JOSH
MCILHENNY
Assistant Coach
JESSE CASTRO
CLINICIAN
CHARISSE
MCILHENNY
WOMEN’S COACH
CENDALL
MURPHY
ASSISTANT COACH
Williamson was named the head coach at Liberty University after a successful stretch at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Mich. As head coach of the newly founded program at Cornerstone, Williamson produced 12 NAIA national qualifiers and 3 All-Americans and brought the program into the top 25 NAIA team rankings. Before Cornerstone, Williamson was an assistant at Liberty, where the program thrived, winning three consecutive Grand National and National Duals titles. During his time as an assistant (2015-21), Liberty saw 72 dual meet wins, 44 All-Americans, and 12 national champions. As an athlete, Williamson competed at Messiah University in Pennsylvania, where he was a three-year starter and team captain. He earned NWCA Academic All-American honors and was part of a sixth- and third-place team finish at the NCAA DIII National Tournament.
Assistant Coach McIlhenny started his career with the Flames as a wrestler, competing for the team for 4 years. He served as a captain for 2 of those years and helped lead the team to 4 national dual titles and 3 Grand National titles. He achieved All-American honors in both his junior and senior years. He is currently the head assistant coach at Liberty.
Coach Castro is used to setting precedents. He graduated from Liberty as the first wrestler to win over 100 career matches among NCAA DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, and NCCAA competition. He became the first NAIA All-American and the first 5x NCCAA national champion in the history of the division. He has coached on virtually every level and is a member of 4 halls of fame, including the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla. He was the National Coach of the Year in 2020 for the NCWA, where his teams have won 6 national dual titles and 5 Grand National titles.
McIlhenny has served as the Liberty women’s coach for the past past 7 seasons (2018-25). As an athlete for Liberty University from 2018-20, she achieved All-American honors for both of her competitive seasons. In 2019, McIlhenny earned the NCWA National Championship title for 143lbs, and in 2020, she placed 2nd in the 136lb weight class at nationals. McIlhenny has built the women’s program from the ground up and has been influential in developing and promoting women’s wrestling in Virginia.
Murphy has served alongside her sister, Coach McIlhenny, for the past 7 seasons. Murphy made history by being the first female wrestler to compete for Liberty University in 2016. During her competitive seasons, she became a 4x NCWA National Champion (2016-20). She was instrumental in starting the women’s program at Liberty, and she continues to be influential in training competitive female athletes.
CAMP OVERVIEW
July 15-18 (Ages 8-19)
Location: LaHaye Courts 6-9
(Directly behind the Thomas Indoor Soccer Center)
CAMP INCLUDES
High coach-to-athlete ratio
One-on-one instruction & training
Advanced training alongside current college wrestlers
Extracurricular activities (swimming/games)
College & high school-level coaching staff
Daily devotional
TEAMS GROUPSAND ARE ENCOURAGED! PLEASE SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS.
LIBERTY OPEN DETAILS
Start time: 10 a.m.
Estimated Conclusion: 2-4 p.m.
Guest Spectator Fee: $5
Parents should plan to attend the tournament and check out their camper(s) immediately afterward. Campers are free to leave when the tournament ends, which will be between 2 and 4 p.m.
The Liberty Open has a $5 spectator fee for parents and guests. Please purchase in advance via the Liberty Ticket Office website or be prepared to pay at the door.
CAMP REGISTRATION
Elementary, middle, and high school overnight fees cover the July 15-18, 2026, camp.
Dinner the first three days and lunch on Thursday and Friday are included for everyone. Overnight campers will also receive breakfast ThursdaySaturday.
The registration deadline is July 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST.