Three stitches and a championship

RITZVILLE – With sweat glistening on his brow and blood dripping down his eye bandage, Brock Tracy, a senior wrestler from Lind-Ritzville High School, etched his name into the annals of state championship history at the Mat Classic. This season’s grappling events culminated in an electrifying moment as Tracy claimed first place in the Boys 1B/2B 285-pound weight class in Tacoma.  

“I never expected to get as far,” Tracy said. 

The 32-4 record he carried into the championship was not merely a consequence of natural talent but a testament to his hard work and focus, according to Ritzville head coach Jason Hilzer.   

“I started wrestling because my football coach, Jason Hilzer, encouraged me that it would improve my skills for football. I joined my sophomore year and immediately enjoyed it,” Tracy said. 

Tracy’s wrestling journey has been one marked by steady progression. Prior to this season, he had reached the state level in both his sophomore and junior years, securing fifth-place finishes on each occasion. Yet, the climb to the top was far from straightforward.  

"Going from a double fifth-place win to a first-place win is an amazing feeling,” Tracy said. 

This year, Tracy faced particular challenges that tested both his physical capabilities and mental fortitude. After starting the season late due to work commitments, he ambitiously dove into training, participating in intensive tournaments and seeking out elite partners to sharpen his skills.  

“I started hitting the weight room more and conditioning harder,” he said. 

However, adversity remained a constant companion.  

“I got super sick right before state,” Tracy said.  

Despite setbacks, he persevered, relying on a network of support from coaches and teammates, both at Lind-Ritzville and during external practices at Eastern Washington University.  

"The guys there helped me a lot,” he said. “Their guidance was essential.” 

Tracy said there weren't big enough guys for him to wrestle with at Lind-Ritzville so the external practices at Eastern Washington University were a big aspect to his win this year.  

Under the tutelage of Hilzer, who doubles as Tracy's football mentor, Tracy honed his skills amidst challenging conditions. Hilzer said he was proud of Tracy’s dedication and his hunger for improvement shone throughout the season.  

“Brock put in a lot more time this year,” Hilzer said, crediting not just Tracy’s efforts but also the rigorous summer camps and extracurricular practices that solidified his skills. 

Tracy started the tournament with a bye. He followed with a fall over Jesus Arias of Warden in 2:27. Then in his quarterfinal and semifinal match, he managed two more falls – one against Kenneth Daman of Forks in 2:47 and one against Ryder Jared of Asotin in 1:16.  

The emotional climax of the tournament arrived during the finals against his long-time rival, Kaden Hippler of Kettle Falls. The match was a microcosm of their shared journey, marked by years of competition and fierce rivalry.  

“We’ve gone back and forth for three years, so I knew it would be intense,” Tracy said.  

Tracy said he wrestled Kipler for the first time in Ritzville and beat him. However, in the following match, Kipler was able to pull out a win.  

“It was, it was crazy. I know he could, I could beat him, and he knew he could beat me,” Tracy said. “We've beaten each other. We've gone back and forth since I started wrestling my sophomore year, and we were about 50-50, who was winning. I knew it was going to be an intense, hard match.”  

Going into the championship match, Tracy said he wasn’t sure how it would play out. Then, a physical collision that left Tracy with three stitches above his eye only added to the drama of the moment, yet he fought through pain to secure a 4-0 decision victory.  

Hilzer said Tracy isn’t only a good wrestler and football player but also a valuable addition to the Lind-Ritzville teams. 

“Brock is a great kid—win or lose, he’s very appreciative and works hard,” Hilzer said.  

This supportive environment fostered Tracy's growth into a champion, not just in terms of athletic prowess but as a young man of integrity and determination.  

As Tracy settles into the next chapter of his life, he said he will not be continuing with wrestling professionally but would consider club wrestling.  However, he has accepted a football scholarship to Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma and he said he will carry with him invaluable lessons learned on the mat.  

“Listening to your coaches is vital. They see what you can’t when you’re in the moment,” Tracy said to younger wrestlers looking to follow in his footsteps. “Just keep pushing and work hard.” 

    Senior Brock Tracy from Lind-Ritzville won his championship match after placing fifth his sophomore and junior year.
  

    Senior Brock Tracy, 285, wrestles against Kaden Hippler of Kettle Falls during the championship match at Mat Classic in the Tacoma Dome. Tracy won his bout.