07/01/2026
2025-2026 KPC Sports All-Area Selectees 🏆
Prep of the Year ⬇️
Linkin Carter:
Eastside boys wrestler Linkin Carter realized a lifelong dream when he won an IHSAA state championship at 157 pounds.
It was the culmination of one special season for Carter, who went 51-1 on his way to earning the state title at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis in late February.
Carter was the consensus choice for the accolade. His impressive 2025-26 resume includes Northeast Corner Conference, sectional and regional titles, He was also honored with the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award at the conclusion of the state finals.
Carter’s only loss of the season came in the Fort Wayne South Side Semi-State final to Cowan’s Jackson Bradley, a fellow senior, in a 4-3 decision at Memorial Coliseum.
Carter avenged loss a week later with an identical 4-3 decision over Bradley in the state finals.
Carter gave up football in his senior campaign. And the move seems to have paid off.
Carter committed to continue his education and wrestling career at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville earlier this spring.
All-Area ⬇️
Noah Dove:
The 138-pound Dove was an NECC conference champion, was also a sectional champion, regional runner-up, and semi-state qualifier. He had a 43-4 record this past season.
Job Richman:
Richman, an NECC Conference champion, was 41-5 this season. He was also a sectional champion and regional runner-up, qualifying for the Semi-State.
Kain Carter:
Carter, an NECC champion at 144, was also a sectional champion, fourth at regionals and a Semi-State qualifier. He was 36-9 in 2025-26.
Wyatt Cox:
Cox, 34-13 this season at 113, placed third at the NECC Tournament. He was third at sectional, fourth at regional and a Semi-State Qualifier.
Braden Gerke:
Gerke, who compiled a 35-11 record this season, was NECC runner-up and then sectional runner-up at 150. He was fourth at regionals, earning a spot at semi-state.
