By nearly every measurable standard, Brand’n Edstrom of Madison High School has established himself among the elite wrestlers ever featured in the TIER ONE of Idaho Prep Wrestling / Hidden Gems series.

While state championships often define high school careers, Edstrom’s résumé reveals something even more impressive—a sustained commitment to excellence on the mat, in the classroom, and in the way he approaches every aspect of the sport.

Entering his senior season, the Class of 2027 standout owns a 121-12 career record, an Idaho 6A state championship, three consecutive state finals appearances, six All-American honors, and a 3.95 GPA while already committing to continue his academic and wrestling career at Utah Valley University.

Those accomplishments alone place him among Idaho’s premier wrestlers. When compared with the elite athletes previously highlighted in the TIER ONE and Hidden Gems series, his career becomes even more remarkable.

Standing Among Idaho’s Best

To date, the TIER ONE and Hidden Gems series has featured many of Idaho’s greatest prep wrestlers.

Collectively, those athletes averaged:

• Entering wrestling at seven years old
• Two state championships
• Three state medals
• Three All-American honors
• A 3.7 GPA

Edstrom exceeds many of those benchmarks.

He began wrestling at just four years old, three years younger than the series average, and already owns:

• 1 Idaho State Championship
• 3 State Medals (2nd, 2nd, 1st)
• 6 All-American honors
• 3.95 GPA

Perhaps most significant is his national success.

The average Hidden Gems athlete earned approximately three All-American honors. Edstrom has already doubled that total before beginning his senior season, earning recognition across freestyle and folkstyle competition while consistently competing against the nation’s best.

With another year remaining, he has the opportunity to capture a second state championship, a fourth state medal, and continue adding to an already exceptional national résumé.

Where It All Began

For Edstrom, wrestling wasn’t something he gradually discovered.

It was immediate.

“When I was four years old, my dad signed me up for the freestyle season at Madison Kid Club,” Edstrom recalled. “Every Saturday, he would take my little brother and me to local tournaments. I fell in love with wrestling almost immediately.”

Success came quickly.

He captured his very first Freestyle State Championship competing for Skyline in the 35-pound division.

Wanting the season to continue, his father entered him in Western Regionals despite having little experience navigating youth wrestling. Because there wasn’t an age division available, Brand’n wrestled older competitors and lost both matches.

Looking back, Edstrom considers those defeats among the most important moments of his career.

That tournament introduced the family to longtime wrestling mentor Greg Packer, who later invited Brand’n to become Greysen Packer’s training partner with the Upper Valley Aces.

The two have remained best friends and training partners ever since.

Trusting the Process

Behind every elite wrestler is a network of coaches, mentors, and family members who shape the athlete long before championships arrive.

For Edstrom, that foundation begins with his father.

“Without a doubt, my biggest influence has been my dad,” he said. “He has always found ways to push me beyond my limits while encouraging me to be my best.”

His development has also been molded by an impressive collection of Idaho wrestling leaders.

He credits Rhett and Brock Banta for believing in him at an early age and helping him realize he was capable of accomplishing difficult things.

He still remembers the demanding practices upstairs in the Simmons Barn with the Upper Valley Aces—a room so physically challenging that wrestlers nicknamed it “The Balling Barn.”

Madison’s coaching staff has continued that growth.

Head coach Petersen challenges every wrestler to maximize their potential, while Coach Wilder regularly stays after practice to fine-tune technique. Coach Jensen pushes Edstrom daily as both teammate and workout partner.

East Idaho Elite coach Brock Zollinger has continued refining his technique, while Idaho USA Wrestling Director of Wrestling Operations Chris Owens has helped shape his mental approach to competition.

“Coach Owens has unmatched passion,” Edstrom explained. “He challenges me to become the best version of myself and truly believes in every wrestler he coaches.”

Built Through Everyday Discipline

Elite athletes often describe complicated training systems.

Edstrom doesn’t.

Instead, he describes wrestling as simply part of everyday life.

“I don’t think I have a crazy training schedule because wrestling has always been part of my everyday life,” he said.

Summer days often begin working on his grandfather’s farm—moving irrigation pipe, working cattle, and completing whatever tasks need to be done.

When the workday ends, wrestling begins.

He trains with East Idaho Elite, travels weekly to Minico for Coach Owens’ highly competitive Best on Best practices, and spends additional time drilling techniques at home with his younger brother Xander.

The routine reflects the same blue-collar work ethic he admires in his grandfather.

“His work ethic is incredible,” Edstrom said. “I strive to be like him every day.”

National Success Doesn’t Happen by Accident

Earning one Fargo All-American honor is difficult.

Earning multiple national All-American finishes requires years of preparation.

Edstrom believes every stage of his development contributed to reaching that level.

“My coaches and training partners all year long played a big role in my success, but the summer practices with Best on Best and East Idaho Elite were especially important.”

He also credits Junior Duals, Fargo Camp, and the experience of learning from older Idaho stars.

One lesson continues to resonate.

“Mack Mauger constantly told me to ‘find a way.’ That simple phrase helped me stay mentally strong throughout the tournament.”

Having Chris Owens and Jason Chamberlain coaching him during Fargo only reinforced that confidence.

The respect is mutual.

Chris Owens has watched Edstrom’s development closely and believes his national success is the result of years of preparation, sacrifice, and a commitment to continual improvement.

“It has been a pleasure coaching and working with Brand’n Edstrom the past couple of years – his dedication and commitment has helped him develop the confidence and mindset to compete nationally vs high level competition! “Owens said. “Credit to Brand’n and his family for the many hours of driving to practices and / or events in pursuit of getting better. I think Brand’n is learning to do our sport at a very high level both in his personal sacrifices and his mental approach. I am excited to see what next year will look like for Brand’n in his preparation to compete in Fargo before going off to mission / college.”

Owens’ assessment reinforces what Edstrom’s accomplishments already demonstrate: elite wrestling is built long before the spotlight arrives.

It is developed through countless hours of training, long drives to practices and tournaments, family sacrifice, trusted mentors, and the mental discipline required to continue improving.

Those unseen investments have become the foundation of one of Idaho’s most accomplished high school wrestling careers.

College Goals Already Set

Although his high school career still has unfinished business, Edstrom has already committed to Utah Valley University.

His collegiate aspirations are ambitious.

“My goals in college are to become an NCAA Division I National Champion while maintaining at least a 3.7 GPA.”

Considering the consistency he has demonstrated throughout high school, those goals appear less like dreams and more like the next challenge.

More Than Wrestling

Away from competition, Edstrom enjoys boating, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

He also enjoys teaching his younger cousins the fundamentals of wrestling, although coaching full-time remains something he may explore later in life.

For now, his focus remains finishing one final high school season while helping continue Madison’s tradition of excellence.

“I hope people around Madison see the success we’re having and want to become part of it,” he said. “We have an outstanding program with great coaches and a team that works extremely hard.”

Living the Motto

Edstrom’s favorite quote comes from legendary coach Dan Gable:

“Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.”

The quote reflects far more than competitive toughness.

Throughout his career, Edstrom has embraced the daily discipline, sacrifice, resilience, and consistency that define successful wrestlers long before championships are won.

Those qualities explain why he has already become one of Idaho’s premier wrestlers.

Final Thoughts

Among every athlete profiled in the TIER ONE and Hidden Gems series, Brand’n Edstrom distinguishes himself through an uncommon combination of national success, academic achievement, and unwavering consistency.

His six All-American honors are already twice the series average, while his 3.95 GPA demonstrates the same commitment in the classroom that he brings to the wrestling room.

With one season remaining, Edstrom has the opportunity to add a second state championship, a fourth state medal, and additional national accolades to an already distinguished résumé.

Yet perhaps his greatest legacy will be the example he provides for younger wrestlers—that sustained excellence is built not through shortcuts or occasional brilliance, but through years of disciplined work, trusted mentors, supportive family, and an unwavering commitment to “find a way.”

As Chris Owens emphasized, Edstrom’s journey has been shaped by the sacrifices most people never see—the miles traveled, the extra practices, the uncomfortable workouts, and the constant pursuit of improvement.

Those qualities—not merely victories—have established Brand’n Edstrom among Idaho’s elite wrestlers.

For Madison High School and Idaho wrestling, Brand’n Edstrom has become much more than a state champion.

He has become the embodiment of what the TIER ONE and Hidden Gems series was created to celebrate: exceptional athletes whose character, perseverance, and accomplishments leave a lasting impact on the sport.

With his senior season still ahead, Edstrom’s story is far from complete.

But his place among Idaho’s best has already been earned.

ACADEMIC | WRESTLING ACCOLADES

SCHOOL: Madison H.S. [6A]

GRADE: Class of 2027

WEIGHT: 120-126

OVERALL RECORD: 121-12

ACADEMIC ACCOLADES 

GPA: 3.95

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Boating, Traveling, Hanging with Family and Friends  

WRESTLING ACCOLADES

• National Ranking #23 (HS on SI)
• Idaho 6A State Champion ’26 
• 3x 6A State Finalist [2,2,1]
• Junior FS All-American ‘26
• 16U Freestyle All-American ‘25
• 3x Folkstyle All-American [16U/Junior]
• USA Preseason Nationals All-American 

Photo images courtesy of Travis Gugelman and Brian Edstrom.

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