By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Des Moines, IA – Thursday marked the first day of the Class 2A session of wrestling from the 2026 Boys’ Wrestling State Tournament from the Casey’s Center in Des Moines.
The Humboldt Wildcats began the day with eight wrestlers, tied for the second most in team history for state qualifiers.
Humboldt junior Broedy Hendricks at 190 was the lone Wildcat wrestler to remain on the championship side of the bracket after day one. After receiving a First-Round bye, No. 2 Hendricks won by a 7-3 decision over No. 15 Lohen Tank of New Hampton/Turkey Valley in the Second Round.
Hendricks will face No. 7 Brian Snyder of Centerville in the Quarterfinal Round Friday morning.
He has one previous meeting against Snyder, a win by a 14-3 major decision in the first-place match of the Dan Christiansen Invitational on Dec. 12
Three additional Humboldt wrestlers advanced to Friday morning on the consolation side of the bracket. At 144, sophomore No. 24 Caleb Vinsand of Humboldt fell to No. 9 Hayden Roush of Shenandoah by a 12-3 major decision in the First Round. Vinsand received a bye in the first consolation round and would proceed to win by a 14-8 decision over No. 10 CJ McGregor of Algona in the Consolation Second Round.
Vinsand will face No. 17 Ben Buck of West Marshall in the Consolation Third Round Friday morning.
He has one previous meeting against Buck, a win by pin in 1:39 in a dual against West Marshall on Jan. 29.
At 150, junior No. 17 Jaxson Kirchhoff of Humboldt won by a 13-1 major decision over No. 16 Kiptyn Lawrence of Albia in the First Round. Kirchhoff fell to No. 1 Blake Fox of Osage by fall in 1:11 in the Second Round. Kirchhoff would bounce back winning by a 9-6 decision over No. 15 Lane Pennington of Assumption, Davenport after a go-ahead takedown in the final 10 seconds in the Consolation Second Round.
Kirchhoff will face No. 9 Cael Cotter of North Polk in the Consolation Third Round Friday morning.
At 157, No. 18 Braden Downs of Humboldt won by fall over No. 15 Gavin Gerbracht of Dike-New Hartford in 3:11 in the First Round. Downs fell to No. 2 Tucker Wheeler of PCM, Monroe by tech fall 17-2 in 2:18 in the Second Round. The sophomore would get back on track with a 13-0 major decision victory over No. 17 Jacob Vance of Osage in the Consolation Second Round.
Downs will face No. 10 Chayton Snethen of Harlan Community in the Consolation Third Round Friday morning.
Four Humboldt wrestlers did not advance to Friday. At 126, Henry Kramer ended his sophomore season at 31-31 after falling in his two state tournament matches. Kramer was a 2A-8 District Runner-up, and a State Qualifier for the first time this season.
At 132, Karson Reinhardt ended his freshman season at 37-16 after going 0-2 Thursday. Reinhardt was a 2A-8 District Champion, and a State Qualifier for the first time.
At 138, Jonny Hayden ended his senior season at 28-26 after an 0-2 performance at the state tournament. Hayden was a 2A-8 District Champion and State Qualifier for the first time.
Lastly, at 175, Tate Halverson concluded his freshman season at 36-22 after going 0-2. Halverson was a 2A-8 District Runner-up and a State Qualifier for the first time.
Humboldt head boys’ wrestling coach Chad Beaman on the first day for his team at the tournament.
Friday morning’s session is underway at 9 a.m. with Class 1A. 2A is set to follow 1A after the class is completed.