Amanda Moussiaux
ASU Student Journalist

Brock Locnikar - Tackling life and sports on and off the field

September 28, 2018 by Amanda Moussiaux, Arizona State University


NDP Junior Locnikar focused on the football field. (photo by Darin Sicurello)

Notre Dame Prep junior Brock Locnikar successfully tackles just about anything that comes his way. Being the state's leading solo tackler (according to MaxPreps) is not his only huge accomplishment; Locnikar was also a 2018 high school All American wrestler, Arizona freestyle wrestling state champion and the Arizona Greco-Roman wrestling state champion.

“His ability to be a multi-sport athlete has benefited him tremendously on the football field,” head football coach George Prelock said. “Because of his athletic backgrounds, he is physically and mentally tough."

Locnikar’s father introduced him to fighting sports at a young age, and he officially began participating when he was five years old. Locnikar trained in multiple forms of combat training such as wrestling, boxing, jiu jistu, muay thai boxing, and mixed martial arts. It was not until eighth grade when he began his football career.

“He [my father] told me a quote that I never forgot,” Locnikar said. “’Son, if you learn how to fight then you never have to fight.’ He was right, and I always look at combat sports as competition, not a form of aggression.”

Locnikar believes that his wrestling and fighting career prepared him for football. He described the transition to football as “very easy” regardless of his later start than some of the other players.

“Brock is a great leader on the field. I love his ability to crush the opposing teams, and then help them up right after,” football teammate and wrestling team member Spencer Roy said. “Brock’s humility is easily visible on the field and motivates our team to become better.”

Besides his humility, Locnikar likes to stay focused and driven. This multi-sport athlete and nationally-recognized combat sports champion holds a 4.0 GPA as well.

“I want to pursue a college career in Division I football,” Locnikar said. “Maybe after, I can fight in the UFC!”

Even with his busy student-athlete schedule during football season, Locnikar still continues to train regularly in mixed martial arts.

“My training includes strength and agility training and lifting weights daily,” Locnikar said. “I also train with active UFC fighters such as CB Dolloway and Jarod Trice.”

Unlike some fighters, Locnikar never cuts weight for fighting or wrestling. His meals and diet contain a lot of protein and high calories.

Just like he has a schedule and system down for fighting, Locnikar has a pregame routine.

“I pace back and forth for around two minutes and I focus all my energy on the football game,” Locnikar said. “I believe football is 90 percent a mental game so I like to be completely ready.”

Even though for him football is a mental game, Locnikar enjoys it more than fighting. It brings him a chance to combine his skills as well as working with others.

“But fighting is awesome because it is strictly one on one,” Locnikar said. “You are forced to completely rely on yourself.”

Locnikar believes that his position of middle linebacker really helps him to relate and portray his fighting skills on the field.