Blacksburg wrestler Braden Henderson: Focused and prepared for his senior season
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Blacksburg High School senior Braden Henderson, is entering his eighth year of wrestling, and he鈥檚 ready to make his final season one to remember. A leader on the team, Braden has accomplished much over his seven years in the sport, but his ambition is far from over. With his eyes set on winning the state championship at 132 pounds, he鈥檚 determined to continue his relentless pursuit of improvement, both individually and as part of his team. Coach Chris Johnson has high praise for Henderson, 鈥淗e is very driven, wants to be the best wrestler that he can be. He鈥檚 the most committed wrestler that I have had while serving as a head coach. Never misses practice and seeks out additional ways to get better.鈥�
Braden’s journey in wrestling started at a young age. Unlike many athletes who try various sports, Braden found his true passion in wrestling after struggling to fit into other team sports like football and basketball. He says, 鈥淚 love wrestling because it is an individual sport. You have a team, but when you step out on the mat, it鈥檚 just you and your opponent. After the whistle is blown and the match is over, win or lose, there is always something to improve, an opportunity to grow. Even as an individual sport, wrestling brings people together. After every match, there鈥檚 always a coach there for you. There鈥檚 always a teammate, a parent, a friend there to share in your experience. What I love is that my results are my own, and only I am responsible for whatever results I earn.鈥� This sense of personal accountability has become a driving force for Braden throughout his wrestling career.
Over the years, Braden’s growth as a wrestler has been nothing short of impressive. He has earned several accolades, including a fifth-place finish at states his freshman year, fourth place as a sophomore, and dominating performances during his junior year, where he won both the region and state tournaments. 鈥淟ast year was a dream come true,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut now, it鈥檚 time to take it a step further. My ultimate goal is to win the state championship at 132 pounds.鈥�
As a team captain alongside Tyrique Nicholson and Tharin Svetanant, Braden鈥檚 leadership is key to the success of his team. This year, the team’s focus is on competing in larger, more challenging tournaments to prepare for the bigger stages of regions and states. 鈥淏eing a member of this team means that I am a reflection of my school and my coaches. Competing gives me the opportunity to show off how much commitment and passion has gone into building up our program,鈥� he explains. Coach Chris says, 鈥淏raden is a young man who does the right things when no one is watching. He eats right, he lifts in the offseason, he wrestles year round to improve his craft. He wrestles all 3 styles, Folkstyle, Freestyle (He qualified for Junior Nationals in Fargo, ND in 2023), and Greco Roman. He鈥檚 tough. He wrestles tired, hurt, sick and always gives maximum effort.鈥�
One tradition the team shares is their warm-up routine, which emphasizes getting mentally and physically ready for the challenge ahead. And while the team doesn鈥檛 have a designated warm-up song, Braden jokes that if they did, it would have to be “Hips Don鈥檛 Lie” by Shakira, a song they鈥檝e played countless times in the wrestling room over the years.
Looking ahead, Braden plans to attend college and pursue a career in psychology, with the goal of working in the mental health field. He credits much of his success in the classroom and on the mat, to his supportive coaches, family, and friends. “My coaches, Chris Johnson and Ryan Wade, have always been supportive of me, even when I didn鈥檛 believe in myself. And my parents have pushed me to be the best I could be in everything I do.”
As Braden enters his final season, he鈥檚 ready to give it everything he鈥檚 got, with the hope of finishing his high school career on top, proving that the hard work and dedication he鈥檚 put in for the last seven years will pay off.
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