Four-time NCAA Division-I All-American/2025 Senior Pan-American wrestling champion Evan Wick will serve as the lead instructor at the Fifth Annual California Champ Camp, Aug. 1-2, at Ceres High School.

“I’m excited to share what I’ve learned and help the next generation of champions,” he said.

Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s grappling programs will run the Champ Camp for the first time.

“We’ve passed the torch,” Ceres Pups Wrestling Club Founder/President/Coach Steve Festa said. “We all want the same things. We want all of our kids to get better.”

The fourth annual California Champ Camp drew a record number of participants.

A total of 139 boys and girls signed up for the clinic, which was staged July 26-27 at Central Valley High School.

The format of the camp was changed.

More instructors and counselors provided instruction.

The California Champ Camp is open to wrestlers, ages 4-18.

Cost is $120 per grappler or $1,000 per high school team (14 wrestlers).

A total of six high school wrestling teams attended the 2025 clinic, including Ceres High, Central Valley, Hughson, Modesto High, Pitman and Golden Valley.

“It’s not just a camp for Ceres wrestlers,” Festa said. “It’s a camp for all local wrestlers in our area. It’s for everyone.”

Day One of this year’s clinic will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Day Two will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wrestlers will be split into two groups: beginners (K-6) and advanced (7-12).

“Our clinicians will be rotating and working with all the wrestlers at both levels,” Festa said.

Wick has enjoyed success at every level as a grappler.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for the athletes to learn from one of the best,” Festa said.

Wick captured the 174-pound title while representing the United States Men’s Freestyle Team at the 2025 Senior Pan-American Championships in Mexico.

He wrestled for the University of Wisconsin before finishing his college career at Cal Poly.

Wick compiled a 23-1 record during his lone season with the Mustangs in 2021-22.

He won five of six matches en route to a third-place finish in the 165-pound weight bracket at the NCAA Division-I National Championships.

He also finished first at the Pac-12 Tournament.

Wick took third at the NCAA finals in 2018 and fourth in 2019 while representing the Badgers.

He had a collegiate record of 133-22.

Wick was a three-time state placer at the CIF Championships during his time at San Marino High School.

He claimed the 152-pound crown as a senior in 2016.

Wick won the Real American Freestyle (RAF) inaugural middleweight championship in August of 2025.

“I know him (Wick) personally,” Festa said. “I met him seven to eight years ago when we took our kids to the Azevedo-Hitchcock Camp down south. He was a clinician. We had lunch in the mess hall. I was asking him questions. He was easy to talk to. I got his number. Fast forward to now, he’s leading our camp. He’s going to help us with everything.”

To register for the California Champ Camp, visit cerespups.org.