GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Director of Athletics Aaron Sagraves and Cornerstone University are excited to announce the hiring of Chris Williamson as the inaugural men's wrestling coach. Cornerstone announced that men's wrestling will be the 20^th varsity sport offered on campus in early January, and are now excited to have Williamson begin the recruiting process as the program will begin action in 2021-22. 
 
Williamson is a Maryland native, but has spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach under New Jersey and Virginia coaching legend, Jesse Castro at NCAA Liberty University. During his time, the Liberty wrestling program thrived in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NWCA), winning three consecutive Grand National and National Dual titles from 2018-2020. The Flames were a regular finalist at the Virginia Duals and had multiple wrestlers place at the nationally attended Citrus Classic (FL) and Joe Parisi/Lindenwood Open (MO). 
 
During Williamson's first five seasons as an assistant, he won over 72 dual meets, coached 44 All-Americans, and 12 National Champions. Liberty also succeeded in the classroom under Castro and Williamson's direction recording over a 3.5 team GPA and winning the NCWA Team GPA title in 2019. 
 
"Getting to know the wrestling community through this search was a blessing for me and the committee and Chris is one we felt will fit with our community at Cornerstone in so many ways. His passion for leading young men in their walk with Jesus Christ was at the forefront of every discussion. That was matched with the desire to excel not only on the mat but also in the classroom. I am excited to see how he builds the foundation of wrestling at Cornerstone for many years of success to come." – Aaron Sagraves, Director of Athletics
 
As an athlete, Williamson competed at Messiah University in Pennsylvania from 2011-2015. He was a three-year starter and team captain, earning Academic All-American and was a part of the most successful wrestling team in program history. Williamson placed third at the MAC Tournament and was a part of a sixth and third place team finish at the NCAA DIII National Tournament. 
 
Williamson's educational journey includes a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Ministry from Messiah University. He then served Liberty's men's wrestling graduate assistant for two years where he also earned his Masters of Business Administration. 
 
When asked about the opportunity to move to Grand Rapids and begin a wrestling program, Williamson stated, "The opportunity to start a program at a school like Cornerstone University was exactly the right opportunity for me and my family. CU is positioned to be competitive in the WHAC and the NAIA right away and Aaron Sagraves and the University staff have shown their commitment to building a wrestling program the right way. I am beyond excited to build a program that not only excels on the mats, but exalts Christ through the sport of wrestling. It is my hope that this program will continue the high standard that CU has set for Christian athletics within the NAIA." 
 
Williamson is married to his wife Rachel and they have two daughters Salem and Josephina. They will be welcoming their third child in October, 2021. The family will make their move to Grand Rapids over the next few weeks and will start at Cornerstone in early March. 

Contact: Jesse Campbell | nathan-jesse.campbell@cornerstone.edu | 616-222-1505
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