By Blake Chadwick
Augusta junior Brayden Luinstra enters the 2025–26 season as one of Kansas’ most proven and motivated wrestlers. Competing at 126 pounds, Luinstra already has a really good track record with a 20–5 freshman season and a third place state finish, followed by a 34–7 sophomore year where he placed second. Now sitting at 54–12 in his high school career, he’s determined to finally break through and stand atop the podium.
“Brayden is an extremely hard worker in the wrestling room,” head coach Brandon Terry said. “He is engrossed in the sport of wrestling and spends countless hours getting better. He goes to camps, area practices, and does any extra on the mat that he can. He is a true student of the sport of wrestling and, as a result, has become a very good wrestler. He has vastly improved in the neutral position since his freshman year.”
Luinstra began wrestling at the age of six, and his early start has shaped both his style and mindset.
“My biggest strengths are my self-discipline and my love of improving my wrestling skills,” Luinstra said. “When I’m wrestling, I tell myself to score points. Afterward, I always ask myself how I can learn and improve from my mistakes.”
For the junior, this season is about dominance.
“I don’t want to win matches 1–2 or any close matches. I want to dominate the competition,” Luinstra said. “I could’ve won state the last couple of years and let it slip.”
As far as his team’s performance this year, Luinstra believes Augusta is on the rise.
“The last couple of years we underperformed,” the junior said. “This year feels different, we have a lot of young talent, and we can go far.”
