Westcliff Hosts First-Ever Warrior Classic– A Major Milestone for the Rising Wrestling Program
This past Friday, Westcliff University made history by hosting its first-ever home wrestling tournament, the Warrior Classic, and the event exceeded every expectation. In just its second full year, Westcliff Wrestling filled the gym with energy, toughness, and a crowd that packed the stands with hundreds of supporters. Competitors traveled from across the country for the inaugural event, including teams from Menlo College, UC San Diego, Grand Canyon University, Snow College, Vanguard University, and Hope International University.
For Head Coach D’Rell Gist, the day wasn’t just a competition, it was a milestone years in the making.
“I thought the tournament went really well. For our first event ever, the team wrestled hard, the crowd showed up, and you could feel the energy in the building. This milestone is huge for our program. We built this from the ground up, and seeing how far we’ve come in such a short time is something special. Every day, this team keeps getting better. We already have multiple athletes ranked in the conference and even nationally, which is pretty rare for a program as new as ours. I’m excited for what’s ahead and proud to keep building something special here.”
A Program Growing at Breakneck Speed
Westcliff’s wrestling program has established itself as one of the fastest-growing athletic units on campus. In only two years, the Warriors have recruited, developed, and elevated a roster that already includes multiple nationally ranked NAIA athletes, such as:
- Joey Mora
- Berlyn Davis
- Kyree Rubio
This rapid rise isn’t an accident. It’s fueled by a unique pipeline of athletes who thrive in Southern California’s incredibly competitive grappling culture.
Powered by Southern California’s Wrestling & BJJ Community
Southern California has long been a hotbed for combat sports, boasting one of the most vibrant wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) communities in the nation. Many of Westcliff’s standouts, including Berlyn Davis who won Westcliff Female Athlete of the year last season, train and compete at high levels in both disciplines, sharpening their athleticism, creativity, and mat IQ year-round.
This connection to the local SoCal grappling scene has become a defining element of the program’s identity. The culture here embraces the grind. It celebrates toughness. It produces disciplined wrestlers who are eager to test themselves on bigger stages.
That environment is helping Westcliff attract competitors who want to be part of something being built, not inherited.
Geiger’s Overtime Thriller Highlights a Day Full of Breakthroughs
While the focus of the Warrior Classic is the program’s momentum as a whole, one match had the entire building on its feet.
Brian Geiger, wrestling an entire weight class above his usual slot, delivered one of the most electric performances of the day. His overtime victory against Menlo was gritty, exhausting, and unforgettable.
Geiger pushed through a grueling third period, dug deep when the match went to overtime, and sealed the win with a beautifully executed over-under body lock into a trip, a sequence he had polished earlier that same week. The victory capped an undefeated day for him despite bumping up in weight.
Meanwhile, MBA program student Joey Mora continued to wrestle like the anchor he’s become, storming through the tournament with two dominant pins. Younger wrestlers also shined throughout the brackets, showing the growing depth that Coach Gist has been working to build.
That blend of youthful talent and experienced athletes, many coming from Division I backgrounds, or the SoCal BJJ community, is exactly why the team believes their trajectory is only going up.
A Historic Day and a Glimpse of What’s Coming
Westcliff’s first home wrestling event wasn’t just a tournament, it was a statement.
A statement that the Warriors are building something real. A statement that the program is attracting top-tier talent. A statement that toughness, culture, and community are taking root.
From the packed stands to the high-level competition to the emotional victories, Friday marked the beginning of a new chapter for Westcliff Wrestling, one defined by growth, grit, and a relentless upward trajectory.
If this is what year two looks like, the rest of the NAIA should take notice.