​Grain Valley grad relishes career as referee

by Michael Smith


Grain Valley 2023 graduate Brock Smith said he owes a lot to the sport of wrestling.

He was one of the top wrestlers in the Kansas City area in his four years as a varsity wrestler for the Eagles as he was a three-time Missouri State qualifier.

Now a sophomore at the University of Central Missouri, Smith will wrestle his first full season this winter after starting as a redshirt freshman last season, so the sport has helped set up his future.

But getting in the circle isn’t the only way he’s involved in the sport. Smith has been a wrestling official since his freshman year at Grain Valley High School and it’s something he said he’s grateful he’s been able to do.

“It’s an opportunity to stay involved in the sport and to make a little money on the side,” Smith said of being an official. “I want to give back to the sport that gave me everything. I want to carry the legacy and continue to grow the sport.”

Smith said he primarily officiates wrestling tournaments in the spring and summer for USA wrestling and may ref a few during the high school season for the Missouri State High School Activities Association, while he’s wrestling for the Mules.

He said he had to take some tests before becoming a referee and he said he was thrown into the fire immediately as he officiated some big youth tournaments around the Midwest area. Recently, he’s been able to referee in some of the biggest tournaments in the United States such as the US Marine Corps Junior & 16U Nationals in Fargo, N.D. and the Schoolboys National Duals in Oaks, Pa.

Officiating comes with its challenges, however, as some occasionally deal with angry fans and parents. So far, Smith said he hasn’t had to deal with that and said the key to being a good official is to not get rattled.

“It’s about just staying calm, you can’t get too emotional doing this,” Smith said. “I am still competing, so it’s nice to dabble in both sides and both points of view. I think I have been doing well at that so far. It’s been smooth, I got to do the Fargo Finals this summer, that was pretty cool. I have been blessed to be able to do this.

“At all the USA events, there are people watching and evaluating you. The better evaluations you get, the more rewards you get. That’s why I got to referee the Finals match in Fargo.”

In 2022, Smith got to be the lead official for the first time at a youth tournament. It was a unique experience as he not only had to officiate multiple matches, he had to recruit other referees to help out.

“Throwing yourself out there and getting experience is the best thing you can do as a referee,” Smith said.

“I have got to be around some great wrestling. I got to be around some (wrestlers on the US World Team) and be around some high-level guys. I have made some great relationships all around the country and I have some people I can call and ask some questions to.”

Smith said he had to give credit to Adam Venegas, an official and a wrestling coach at Baker University, and Rick Schwab for helping him throughout his career as a referee.

He said he plans on being an official for the foreseeable future and has a big goal in mind for that part of his wrestling career.”

​“The wrestling community never fails to amaze me,’ said the 19-year old Smith. “It’s nice to be young and have a lot of people willing to help you out. A goal of mine is to referee a (United World Wrestling) World Championships by the time I am 30.”

Grain Valley graduate, Brock Smith, officiates a match during the Super Early 32 Tournament last September at Belton High School. Photo credit: Michael Smith