Coe wrestler Brady Henderson returns from presumed season-ending broken ankle to compete in D-III regional tournament

CEDAR RAPIDS — Brady Henderson recalled the long ride home from Decorah.

He couldn’t avoid negative thoughts and doubt whether he would wrestle again after a second broken ankle in two years. This time, the injury occurred during his second match of his senior campaign at the Luther Open.

“It was just a roller coaster of emotions all year last year,” Henderson said. “This year, coming back to the room and everything’s going good. The first tournament of the year, I break my other ankle. Out for the year. The doctor told me I won’t be able to come back.”

Despite the initial prognosis, Henderson has returned to the Coe lineup for the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional on Friday and Saturday at the BOS Center in Springfield, Ill. The Kohawks are among the 19-team field that includes the rest of the American Rivers Conference programs with other schools from Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama and Texas.

“Coming back and getting this chance is cool in a way,” said Henderson, who is 1-1 at 157 pounds. “It’s an opportunity to prove myself. The odds are stacked against me.

“I haven’t competed in two to three months. I had three weeks to get ready and go to the toughest tournament in D-III wrestling and give it all I’ve got. It will be fun to see what happens.”

The upbeat approach may not have emerged had it not been for his close friends and teammates, who rallied around him when he was crestfallen after the setback. Notably, Coe’s Riley Wright and Ryker Kurimski provided the support that inspired him to remain engaged with the team.

“They didn’t care if I could compete or not,” Henderson said. “They just cared about how I was doing.

“I just put it in perspective. They were there for me when I needed them. It’s also my job to be a friend and brother to them.”

Henderson donned a walking boot but still attended practice. The 2021 National Wrestling Coaches Association 157-pound national finalist and two-time state runner-up for North Linn realized he could make an impact in a different way, sharing his wrestling knowledge of positions and technique on the mat and how to handle the emotions off it.

“I’ve been really impressed with how he’s dealt with it,” Coe Coach John Oostendorp said. “He’s been at every practice, trying to help guys throughout the year. He’s been a real leader, how he’s handled himself and how he’s given support to the guys when he couldn’t do anything on the mat.”

The best response was also the hardest to embrace. Henderson agonized over being a spectator instead of a participant, especially when the Kohawks toiled to a 9-6 record and 5-3 in the conference.

“I’m not going to lie,” Henderson said. “It was really hard going to practice some days, sitting there watching and then going to duals. Duals were really tough.

“I had to put that aside and be there for my teammates because I know they were going through a lot, too.”

The most recent visit to the doctor revealed competing wouldn’t cause long-term damage. Henderson was told if he could tolerate the pain and strain then he could give it a go.

“I talked to my family, my trainer and just made the decision,” Henderson said. “Like, what the heck? Why not give it a try?”

The first week on the mat was a struggle. Henderson said he didn’t have much the first week, estimating he had about a 30-percent shot. He has wrestled live the last 2 1/2 weeks and actually feels good.

Oostendorp said Henderson has demonstrated a tough-minded and mature approach to adversity.

“Once he’s been able to do some things he’s really taken off from a wrestling standpoint,” Oostendorp said. “He’s worked extremely hard and disciplined to get himself back.”

Henderson discovered an alternative to help with his conditioning. Assistant Joelle Rummel is active in CrossFit and helped Henderson get into match shape, putting him through almost daily workouts that could have the same effect as hard wrestling.

“There are things I couldn’t do on the mat that I could replicate, getting my body and muscles super tired,” Henderson said. “I’ve overcome those mental barriers and carry that over from CrossFit to wrestling. That has helped me tremendously. … My body feels great.”

The focus is not on results and pressure is not a factor. Henderson plans to revert back to basics, treating the tournament like the ones he did as a kid.

“I’m going out there and having fun with my teammates and family supporting me,” Henderson said. “I think that is the biggest thing. Just enjoy it.”

The field includes four top-20 programs, including top-ranked Wartburg, No. 5 North Central (Ill.), No. 14 Loras and 20th-ranked Luther. Thirty-five ranked wrestlers will contend for NCAA tournament berths. The top three at each weight advance to the national tournament, which is problematic for weights like heavyweight that boast five ranked wrestlers in addition to Coe’s returning All-American Kaleb Reeves.

“The regional is ridiculous,” Oostendorp said. “There is so much depth and so many good guys. Everybody is fighting for a few spots.”

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