Brock Mulder IA: Fighting Through the Funk

By Bill X. Barron

Consistent with his character, before heading West for the 2024 Rocky Mountain Nationals this June in Las Vegas, Brock worked day and night to assist local families in Rock Valley with their home clean-up and restoration after torrential floods devastated this northern Iowa town, leaving 1500 of its 4000 residents homeless.

Rock River, the heart of this family-centered community, witnessed a remarkable display of standing as one. The devastating floods that struck the town left many homeless, including Brock's cousin. However, the family stood together, ready to assist and support each other, a testament to their strong bonds and the power of their unity.

“Our flight was postponed, then canceled, so we packed up the SUV to prepare for the 21-hour drive to Las Vegas. Fortunately, after navigating through road closures and flooded bridges, we were able to catch a flight late that night. Eventually, we arrived early in the morning of the first day of competition.”

Dad Brian has coached all three sons. Brock was an Iowa grade school and three-time AAU state champion. A state qualifier at 145 lbs. his freshman year, Brock placed 7th at 165 lbs. his sophomore year.

Brother Tristan was the 2021 Iowa state champ at 195 lbs. for 1A Western Christian. Jace placed in state as a freshman and sophomore and, as a senior in 2023, finished 5th at 182 pounds.

“Dan Gable comes to every Iowa high school state tournament,” relates Brian. When Tristan won state, Gable approached him afterward and commented: “You had zero points scored on you this tournament. I have been watching. That’s exactly what I did in the Olympics.”

On Brock’s development, Dad describes him as “a work in progress. He is headed in the right direction toward his goal of winning an Iowa state title. The experience we get from wrestling around the country at events such as RMN makes us more prepared for Iowa, where any one of six or eight wrestlers can win any given weight class.”

Twelve years into a wrestling journey that began as a five-year-old, Brock looks back at his first RMN tournament, which he competed in when he was six, alongside brothers Tristan (11) and Jace (9).

Brock and his brothers trained at a private club with Coach Dipol and Coach Pack back then. Brock credits this training with giving him the mental toughness needed to beat anybody and the foundation to become the wrestler that he is today.

“I did not have a lot of learning under my belt, but I had a lot of fun and enjoyed being involved in the sport together with my dad and brothers.” Brock is now a two-time RMN National Champ with two triple crowns. He has also earned national titles at the Hawkeye, Christmas, Black Hills, and the Midwest championships.

Brock trains privately with Haggen Meyer. Illustrative of wrestling’s extended family, Haggen’s father Dennis flew out to the RMN tournament in Vegas to provide Brock with additional emotional support and coaching observations. 

Though only 16, Brock dominated the 2024 RMN National Championship at 18U 175 pounds, where he won the semis by major decision and his other four matches by pin, including the finals. “I love how they (RMN) put God first and pray before each tournament begins.”

“When we compete in an RMN event, it is always a challenge,” Brian comments, “because they attract kids from Western and Midwestern states and even the East Coast. 

“Out West, it is a distinctive style of wrestling: a lot of funk, where kids can surprise you with moves you have never seen before. In Iowa, wrestlers stay more in position and wrestle from a solid foundation.”

“That’s why we do the extra work,” Brian continues. “You get better in the off-season while others are taking a break. Brock is exceptionally committed to his daily discipline, lifting weights at 5:00 am, participating in two-a-day football practices, as well as finding time to train for wrestling.” 

Brock describes his wrestling style as “calm and focused. My preparation and state of mind help me sort out everything and everyone. I respect my competition and enjoy competing against someone that I know little about. Every match, win or lose, makes me a better wrestler.

“My dad and brothers review my game plan to get my mind set, while coaches Swets, Berkie, and Rozeboom take the extra time to roll with and prepare me to do my best in high school competition. Coaches Van Ginkel & Davelaar are great at motivating me before matches and practice during the week. 

Berkie says, "Brock has been fantastic in helping our program grow. From day one, he has been wrestling with and hanging with the best kids in our room. As a freshman, he was wrestling the seniors every day in practice, and that was our best senior class since mine when I competed for Western Christian High.

“As a freshman, all of his losses were to someone who made or won the state finals that year, except for his blood round match at state, and that was to someone who was a four-time placer. 

“Only two people from our Nighthawk program have placed multiple times at state, and both have made the finals. Brock has a real shot at making the finals and the potential to be the first Nighthawk state champion. 

“I have enjoyed watching him grow and develop these past couple of years, and I look forward to seeing him step up into the leadership role for our team and see how far he can go."

A committed student whose father is a financial advisor, Brock plans to pursue a college degree in finance or business management, while also playing linebacker in football or wrestling. 

“We study the video to learn their different techniques and tendencies,” Brock relates, “then figure out our game plan for defeating each opponent when we meet him next. Our training is guided by the sayings: ‘Being good is the enemy of being great,’ and “Never stop learning to keep getting better.’

“This sport has taught me how to trust in God and put Him first. It has allowed me to travel the country while sharing memorable moments with my brothers and dad.

“Wrestling has taught me to persevere through life’s difficulties and how to be successful both in wrestling and in life.”