By Ken Hansard
Buhler’s Brayden Henry is a senior pitcher who also plays third and catcher. The Crusaders posted a record of 13-14 in Henry’s junior season, finishing 5-5 in the always tough AVCTL-Division III, but losing in the first round of regionals. As a senior, Henry is ready to lead the charge to what he hopes is a state appearance in his final high school tilt. “I see myself as a leader. I like to get the team hyped up and the dugout going.”
After last season, Henry wanted to improve his strength and mobility. During the off-season, he took to the gym regularly. “I got in the weight room and pushed myself to get stronger. I’ve also been stretching to increase my mobility.”
Those attributes will likely be necessary if Henry is to achieve the lofty goals that he has set for his team and for himself. “My goals are to make it to state and to earn all-league and all-state as a pitcher. I’d also like to break Buhler’s single season pitching record.”
Reaching those targets may seem like a tall order, but Henry’s resume suggests that they are within reach, “Last year I had a 3-1 record with 34.1 innings pitched, 33 strikeouts, 8 walks, and an ERA of 3.67.” For those marks, Henry was recognized and awarded Second-Team All-league as a pitcher.
Henry’s overriding wish is simply to enjoy his final high school season, “Our schedule is pretty stacked, which should make for an exciting season. I’m looking forward to competing with my teammates and stepping up to this challenge.”
In Henry’s spare time, he moonlights as a champion bass fisherman. “Last year my partner and I took third at state and had the opportunity to fish at the high school national championship at Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee.”
Henry, who boasts a solid 3.71 G.P.A., plans to pitch and study business at Hutchinson Community College next year.
