By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Des Moines, IA – Friday marked the second day of the Class 2A sessions of wrestling from the 2026 Boys Wrestling State Tournament from the Casey’s Center in Des Moines.
The Humboldt Wildcats brought four wrestlers into the morning session Friday; Humboldt junior Broedy Hendricks (190) in the quarterfinal, while sophomore Caleb Vinsand (144), junior Jaxson Kirchhoff (150), and sophomore Braden Downs (157) began the day in the consolation third round.
Hendricks advanced to the semifinal round Friday morning as he won by fall in 52 seconds over No. 7 Brian Snyder of Centerville in the Quarterfinal Round. The junior followed the quick pin with a 4-2 decision victory Friday night over No. 6 Josh Ringler of Grinnell in the semifinal round to advance to the state final Saturday night.
Hendricks will face No. 1 Maximus Purdy of Assumption, Davenport in the State Final. Hendricks suffered his lone loss of the season on Jan. 29 to Purdy in a 5-2 decision. He says having a second match against the Assumption Davenport wrestler will serve as motivation for the state final.
Hendricks is attempting to become Humboldt’s 21st different wrestler to win a state title and give the Wildcats their 30th in program history. With a win, Hendricks would be the first Wildcat wrestler since Joey Busse in 2019 to stand on top of the podium.
Humboldt’s three wrestlers on the consolation side of the bracket failed to advance to the podium Friday.
At 144, sophomore No. 24 Caleb Vinsand of Humboldt won by fall over No. 17 Ben Buck of West Marshall in 57 seconds in the Consolation Third Round. The sophomore would come up short of the podium by one win with a loss by major decision 11-3 to No. 6 Jaxson Lundgren of North Fayette Valley in the Consolation Fourth Round. Vinsand wraps up his sophomore year at 32-22, as a 2A-8 District Runner-up, and a State Qualifier for the first time.
At 150, junior No. 17 Jaxson Kirchhoff of Humboldt fell to No. 9 Cael Cotter of North Polk in an 8-3 decision in the Consolation Third Round. Kirchhoff wraps up his junior year at 39-19, as a 2A-8 District Runner-up, and a State Qualifier for the second time.
At 157, sophomore No. 18 Braden Downs of Humboldt fell to No. 10 Chayton Snethen of Harlan Community in sudden victory – 1 8-3 in the Consolation Third Round. Downs wraps up his sophomore year at 43-16, as a 2A-8 District Runner-up, and a State Qualifier for the first time.
Humboldt Head Boys’ Wrestling Coach Chad Beaman on the second day for his three wrestlers on the consolation side of the bracket at the tournament.
He spoke on the preparation for Hendricks going into Saturday night’s State Final.
The Saturday night session begins with award ceremonies at 5:15 p.m. The Grand March is at 5:30 p.m. with finals matches for all classes to follow.