Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Broedy Hendricks of Humboldt competes for a state title at 165 pounds in Des Moines. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Broedy Hendricks and Jace Nelson-Brown shared the mat this year on multiple occasions.

At the state wrestling tournament, they stood at the same spot on the podium.

Hendricks, a Humboldt freshman, finished second in Class 2A at 165 pounds. Nelson-Brown, a senior for Emmetsburg, did the same in 1A at 175.

After picking up a big win in the semifinals vs. top-seed Max Gast of Osage last Friday, Hendricks was unable to get his offense going against Colin Young from Dubuque Wahlert, dropping a 6-2 decision.

Young, a senior who was a high school medalist in Illinois last year, went 20-0 while competing for former St. Edmond standout and Wahlert head coach Joel Allen. He erased an early Hendricks takedown in the second following a scoreless first period with two takedowns.

For Hendricks, a U.S. Open Freestyle champion who won titles at the North Central Conference Tournament and Don Miller Invitational this past year, the loss was just his third over 49 matches.

“Broedy had an incredible season and really solid tournament,” Humboldt head coach Chad Beaman said. “There are still areas that he will get better, but he has a really high wrestling IQ, body awareness and can position fight.

“He will grow from this experience and come back more hungry next season.”

Juniors Owen Mayall and Tyce Clarken both placed eighth for Humboldt, as Mayall (34-13) fell to Kaydin Jones of Union LaPorte City, 5-2, at 120 pounds and Clarken (43-8) was topped by Atlantic’s Aiden Smith at 126.

Beaman was tabbed the Class 2A coach of the year, with Mark Cirks and Justin McDaniel being recognized as assistants of the year.

Nelson-Brown, who was also a runner-up in 2023, was denied joining the list of Emmetsburg champions by Don Bosco’s Kaiden Knaack, falling 3-1.

Like Hendricks, he scored on an early escape in the second period before Knaack recorded a takedown and added an escape of his own.

A three-time medalist, Nelson-Brown has committed to wrestle for Cornell College next year.

Justin Wirtz, a junior, earned his first medal in two state appearances when he placed fourth at 165 for the E-Hawks. Wirtz (42-4) suffered a 7-3 loss to Andrew Kimball from Don Bosco.

Algona

Tate Slagle, Taevyn Zinnel and Barrett Morgan all left the state tournament with 2A medals for 2024.

Slagle, a junior, placed fifth at 150 pounds after he topped Tucker Vitzthum of Ballard, 6-2. The University of Iowa baseball commit earned his second medal after placing third last winter, ending the season 43-4 overall.

Zinnel (39-7) concluded his sophomore campaign by placing seventh at 157 with a fall over Maxwell Mintle of Grinnell in 5:35.

Morgan, also a sophomore, scored his second eighth-place medal after falling to Kaden Kramer of Independence, 8-0. He finished the year 37-14 overall.

South Central Calhoun

After walking out of Wells Fargo Arena last year without a medal, senior Brock Nattress made sure he had one this time.

Nattress took eighth in 1A at 150 pounds for the Titans after falling to Wapsie Valley’s Easton Krall. He ended the year 51-8 overall, with three wins coming at state.

East Sac County

Charlie Veit ended his four-year run as a Raider with a win and a second seventh-place medal, besting Zane Mullenix of Pleasantville, 8-2, in 1A at 144 pounds.

A three-time state qualifier, Veit went 45-4 this year.

Clarion-Goldfield/Dows

Caleb Seaba finished his second state run with an eighth-place medal in 2A at 165 pounds after a loss to Brock Mulder of Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley.

Seaba, a junior, went 33-12 in 2023-24 and reached the quarterfinals.