Valuable Lessons Learned by Raczkowski on Wrestling Mat

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(January 16, 2022 8:00 AM) Coming off an all-state performance as a freshman, Western High School wrestler Lincoln Raczkowski had high hopes heading into the Michigan High School Athletic Association state wrestling finals two years ago.

And why not.

He was 45-1 and on a roll.

But the wrestler learned a valuable lesson at Ford Field … there is always someone a little better.

Raczkowski lost in the blood round – the round where you win and earn a medal or lose and go home – to a wrestler he had beaten before. 

At that point, he made up his mind to work a little harder … starting the Monday after the Saturday state wrestling finals. 

Now a senior, Raczkowski is 25-0 this season and looking for the big prize this winter.

“My goal is to not lose this season,” Raczkowski said. “I felt good after earning all-state honors as a freshman.

“I did not do well as a sophomore.”

To make matters worse, Raczkowski broke his collar bone two weeks into the COVID-19 delayed season in 2021. That makes for a hungry wrestler.

“You learn that everyone wants something that you want too,” Raczkowski said. “You have to work harder than anybody else … wrestling teaches you that the most.”

Raczkowski has been wrestling since an early age at the urging of his father and two older brothers. Luke won a state title as a senior and Landon finished third in his senior season.

“We all get our competitive nature from our dad,” Raczkowski said of former football and wrestling Coach Mark Raczkowski. “He does all the talking … we just listen.”

The lessons learned from dad must be working for the younger Raczkowski. He won the Selby Meet in the 300-meter hurdles last spring and the Panthers won district and regional titles in football this past fall.

“We have been riding the wave of success the past three seasons,” Raczkowski said. “Wrestling is my best sport so I feel confident.”

Raczkowski said he has a chance to wrestle in college but has yet to make that decision. He would like to study business in college and maintains a 3.8 GPA at WHS.