Stevie Graybill CA – A Testament to Resilience

By Bill X. Barron

Resilience is perseverance that turns a door into a window. It is the character that transforms an obstacle into an opportunity. It is also the inspiration that builds a bridge over impassable waters. Stevie Graybill, a top-ranked 11U youth wrestler from California, exemplifies true resilience.

Graybill has won 15 championships across 8 tournaments from August 2025 to now, including winning the SCWAY Grade School freshman division at 100 lbs. as a 5th-grader weighing only 85 pounds. Recently, he claimed the USA California State Kids Folkstyle Championship, going 4-0 with no points scored against him.

Nevertheless, that is only part of the story. As Stevie explains, “In December 2024, my elbow was dislocated during a match, forcing me to sit out wrestling for almost three months, from December 2024 until around February or March 2025.

“As soon as I was cleared to return, I decided to come back better than before,” Stevie said. “With my dad, we made a plan that started with morning individual workouts and pushing myself every day in practice.”

Stevie first learned wrestling along with jiu-jitsu at TeachMeGrappling with Coach Brian Peterson, “who laid a solid foundation and taught me valuable wrestling techniques.”

Peterson is a 2009 FILA World Champion and the head wrestling coach at Valencia High School (CA). He observes: “Stevie is a sincere and respectful student of the sport who turns into a fierce competitor who has no fear whatsoever once he is in competition.”

As Stevie advanced, a new influence helped spark his growth: “When Coach Collin became my head coach, he challenged me to my limits and showed me how to handle tough matches and different situations. He continually reminds me of my goal to become a world champion and guides me on the steps to get there.”

“It is beautiful to see the Cal Grappler coaches, the love they have for the sport and the kids. It's nothing I've ever seen before. It is truly something special,” comments his mother, Veronica.

Both parents are local county sheriffs, demonstrating self-discipline and humility while serving the community. Personalized homeschooling keeps Stevie's parents, Stephen and Veronica, actively involved in his education. 

The Graybill family displays a similar dedication to athletics. Five days a week, they travel two hours each way to wrestling practice. Fortunately, their schedules allow the family to travel to wrestling clinics and tournaments all across the country. 

His coach and mentor, Coach Hayes articulates: “An athlete’s success on the mat and in life begins with the positive influence and support of a family like the Graybills, who foster character and expect excellence.”

Every day, Collin reminds Stevie as well as his club team that “in order to be a good wrestler, you must also be a good person.”

Stevie’s mom, Veronica, admires his focus, dedication, and self-discipline. She observes, “It’s been amazing to see him grow through wrestling. At just 11 years old, he already exhibits a level of dedication and discipline that impresses us. Stevie takes his training very seriously and has developed a routine that demonstrates his commitment to improving.”

Stevie’s dedication is evident in his daily routine. Five to six days a week, he gets up independently at 6:00 AM. Each morning begins with cardio and calisthenics. Coach Hayes shares a similar mindset. For him, it’s second nature to push Stevie to his perceived boundaries and beyond.

Each day reveals a new lesson to learn. “Stevie’s elevated aspirations inspire me to grow as a coach,” Collin notes, “so I focus on being up to the challenge. I am blessed to be his coach, and I am honored that his parents trust me to push him to reach his potential.

“The wrestlers and parents know that I care for their kids beyond the wrestling room and that they can always reach out to me with any concerns.

“Stevie’s drive makes coaching exciting as well as revealing because it pushes me to constantly adapt in order to nurture his passion. What makes our entire team special is their relentless desire to improve. It leads me to sleepless nights as I strive to be a good person and coach every day.”

After warm-up drills focusing on wrestling fundamentals, Stevie trains as a boxer to improve his conditioning and fine-tune his mental toughness. Each day, he eats a nutritious meal, studies wrestling film carefully, and diligently works on his technique. Later, he lifts weights, continues studying, and takes the long route to practice.

“Outside of competition,” Stephen relates, “Stevie is a respectful and kind kid who enjoys supporting his teammates. He celebrates their wins and encourages them during tough matches. At home, he’s still a fun-loving kid, but wrestling has helped him develop discipline, confidence, and a strong work ethic.”

With a big heart and genuine care for those around him,” Veronica adds, “Stevie especially values spending time with his younger brother, Shane. Whether they're playing, laughing, traveling to tournaments, or hanging out at home, the brothers are inseparable.

“Stevie's dedication to Shane’s happiness and well-being is a core part of his character; seeing how he loves and supports Shane has made this journey especially meaningful for our family.”

Coach Peterson notes: “Stevie is coachable, someone who quickly masters technique, and I can trust him to work with less experienced wrestlers using the appropriate level of force, which is a high-level attribute for an athlete.”

As an elite competitor, Stevie thrives in high-level environments like RMN Events, where the intensity, structure, and competition allow him to test himself across multiple brackets and weight classes.

“I appreciate starting each event with prayer and the national anthem. The awards and intense competition at RMN tournaments motivate me.

“RMN is well-organized,” adds Veronica. “The referees are amazing. I was impressed when one of them recognized Stevie with one of the tournament’s unique challenge coins for doing something kind for an opponent.”

Cites Stephen: “Competing in major national tournaments like RMN has helped him grow by teaching the importance of preparation and focus to succeed at the highest levels of youth wrestling.” 

As a caveat, Mom responds: “My favorite moments aren’t big wins or tournaments. They’re when I see the young man he’s becoming—in his kindness, in helping others, or loving patience with his brother. Those moments mean more than any medal or trophy.”

After winning the Tulsa Kick-Off, Coach Hayes reflects: “Stevie walked off calmly as I celebrated more than he did. His expectations are lofty, and he continually seeks tougher challenges.

Stevie understands that to make his future different, he must stay focused on constant growth. At only 11 years old, he is mature beyond his years in his exceptional willingness to work hard and keep improving.

In Los Angeles County, home to the Cal Grapplers, the club offers support and a welcoming space for a community facing economic struggles. 

Cal Grapplers believes that “wrestling instills values that benefit athletes in every part of life, from academics to future athletic pursuits, creating a foundation for future success on and off the mat.”

Stevie emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication to succeed in wrestling, which translates to life skills. “Wrestling taught me to endure challenges, knowing they are temporary. It instilled respect and discipline. Losing matches pushed me to train harder and learn from every mistake.”

Cites Stephen: “Watching him tackle challenges with a purposeful mindset has been the most rewarding aspect of participating in his journey.”

Stevie Graybill’s journey extends beyond wins and titles; it is centered on discipline, perseverance, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. With dreams of someday wrestling for Penn State, he aims to follow in the footsteps of legends like Cael Sanderson, David Taylor, Kyle Dake, Jax Forrest, and Spencer Lee.

On the Cal Grapplers website, it states: “Wrestling builds character, resilience, discipline, and self-confidence. Wrestlers learn the importance of setting goals, persevering through challenges, and working hard, both individually and as a team.”

Stevie’s parents agree. “Wrestling has taught Stevie about resilience. There have been matches where situations did not go as he had planned, but instead of getting discouraged, he uses those moments as motivation. He asks questions, studies his matches, and works harder in practice to correct mistakes.”

Stephen explains: “In our profession, we often see what happens when individuals lack structure and positive direction. It frequently results in struggles with substance abuse and mental health, which is why we emphasize discipline and accountability in our home.

“Wrestling is more than a sport for Stevie. It is a journey of growth, discipline, and determination. Every challenge on the mat is an opportunity to build resilience that will last a lifetime.”