‘For senior wrestler Silas Stits, wrestling isn’t just a sport – but more of a family affair. As a four year member of the Varsity wrestling team at Center Grove, Stits has followed in the footsteps of his older brother who also wrestled for the Trojans.
Inspired by his older brother’s success, Stits began his wrestling career when he was just five years old, stepping onto the mat with a mixture of excitement and nervous energy. Watching his brother dominate his opponents on the mat initially sparked his passion for wrestling, fueling his desire to follow in those same footsteps.
“Growing up, I watched my older brother Shane wrestle and excel at his sport,” Stits said. “Watching him succeed made me want to try it out. I started wrestling when I was five years old, and I also participated in football and soccer. However, as I grew up, it became clear that I was too small for football. Wrestling, with its weight classes, offered more opportunity and fairness for athletes. I started my wrestling journey in the 45 lb division, eventually working my way up through 75 lbs, 95 lbs, and 126 lbs throughout middle school.”
The one-on-one aspect of the sport, where winning or losing relies completely on individual performance, inspired Stits to push beyond his boundaries, and helped him develop skills such as discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking. This unique environment, demanding both physical and mental toughness, shaped him into a more well-rounded and determined athlete.
“I like wrestling because of its individual aspect,” Stits said. “Unlike team sports, where blame could be shared, wrestling made me solely responsible for my wins and losses. That accountability helps keep me motivated and excited to grow in my sport.”
As Stits got more and more into the sport, he started taking his training more seriously. He began dedicating himself more consistently to his training, realizing that success required a large sum of effort and focus. Under the guidance of Sean Schmaltz at Contenders Wrestling Academy, where he has trained for nearly his entire wrestling career, Stits learned to embrace a culture of excellence. Schmaltz’s mentorship not only refined his technical skills but also instilled in him the values of perseverance, accountability, and continuous self-improvement.
“When I was around nine years old, I joined Contenders Wrestling Academy,” Stits said. “The practices were tough, but they pushed me to improve. As I got better, I started winning more matches, which kept me engaged. Around the same time, I also began lifting weights with Coach Mills at School of Strength, building physical toughness and discipline. When I reached middle school, I also began training with Jeremy Hartman at Hartman Performance Training, which helped me gain even more strength.”
Stits’s dedication to wrestling began to pay off as he saw his hard work turn into success on the mat, winning more matches and gaining more confidence with each victory. His skill and determination allowed him the opportunity to train alongside the high school wrestlers at Center Grove, where he was exposed to a faster, more competitive level of the sport.
“Wrestling was more than just a sport—it became part of my identity. Center Grove’s success during my elementary and middle school years motivated me to stay involved and push myself to wrestle in high school. To prepare, I started attending high school practices while still in middle school. This experience exposed me to older, stronger competitors and accelerated my development as a wrestler.”
Training with older, more seasoned wrestlers, including his brother, provided both a challenge and a source of inspiration for Stits. The experience pushed him to match their intensity. His brother’s presence on the mat added a personal layer of motivation, as Stits strived not only to keep up but to prove himself among the more advanced athletes.
“I remember sixth grade being a pivotal year for me. Shane was a senior in high school, and since I attended the same practices, we often trained in the same room. That year, he placed 4th in the 195 lb weight class at the IHSAA State Finals. I knew how hard he had worked all season to get there, and even though I couldn’t be there in person, seeing his success fueled my own motivation.”
Seeing his brother shine on the big stage at the state finals was a pivotal moment for Stits. Witnessing the excitement, pressure, and ultimate reward of competing at the highest level sparked something deeper within him. The atmosphere and his brother’s success made him realize that he didn’t just want to compete; he wanted to win it all. That experience planted a goal in his mind, fueling his desire to one day stand under those same lights, with his hand raised as a state champion.
“After Shane’s success at state, I made it my personal goal to place higher than he did by the end of my high school career. The road hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has made me better. I’m currently ranked 3rd after a tough loss in the finals of the Al Smith Invitational. That loss only motivates me more. I’m determined to rise above the setback and finish the season as the best wrestler in the state, not just for myself but to continue the legacy my brother started.”
Stits plans to attend Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where he will continue his wrestling career at the Division 1 level. With years of experience and valuable lessons learned through his wrestling journey, he aims to bring that same drive, discipline, and resilience to his collegiate career. Stits hopes to not only excel on the mat but also use his growth as an athlete to positively impact his team, while embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with competing at the highest level.