The Fairfield girls and boys wrestling programs recognized athletes for their accomplishments during the 2025–2026 season at the annual team awards banquet.
Several wrestlers received special team awards for their dedication and contributions to the program. Kendra Allison and Quinn Settles were honored with the Jordan Smith Perseverance Award. Aislinn Wise and Jasper Carpenter received the Billy Stoner Rookie of the Year Award. Samantha Lyons and Dain Burkhart were named the teams’ Most Valuable Wrestlers. Angel Quimby earned the Mel Allen Superior Teammate Award, while Ezekiel Moore and Calvin McClain were recognized with the Darwin K. Potter Dedication and Determination Award.
Girls Season Highlights
The Fairfield girls wrestling team finished tied for second place in the Southeast Conference with a 2–2 record, sharing the spot with Mount Pleasant.
Two Trojans earned first-team All-Southeast Conference honors. Samantha Lyons was recognized at 170 pounds, while Kendra Allison earned first-team honors at 235 pounds. June Conner was named second-team All-Conference at 100 pounds.
Three Fairfield wrestlers also earned Wrestling Academic All-Southeast Conference recognition. Bailey Belzer, Kendra Allison, and June Conner were honored for their achievements in the classroom.
At the Iowa High School Girls State Wrestling Tournament, junior Samantha Lyons entered as the number two seed in the Class 1A 170-pound bracket. Senior Kendra Allison also competed at state in the 235-pound bracket as the seventh seed. Allison went 1–2 at the tournament.
Boys Season Highlights
The Fairfield boys wrestling team finished tied for first place in the Southeast Conference with a 4–1 record, sharing the conference championship with Fort Madison.
Cael McCabe earned first-team All-Southeast Conference honors at 113 pounds. Five Trojans were named to the second team, including Noah Patel at 106 pounds, Jasper Carpenter at 132 pounds, Dusty Haynes at 150 pounds, Calvin McClain at 165 pounds, and Dain Burkhart at 175 pounds.
Burkhart was also named the Southeast Conference Wrestler of the Year.
Three Fairfield wrestlers earned Wrestling Academic All-Southeast Conference honors: Ezekiel Moore, Dain Burkhart, and Angel Quimby.
As the sixth seed, Burkhart capped his Fairfield wrestling career with a third-place finish at 175 pounds in Class 2A at the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Championships. Cael McCabe also qualified for the tournament but did not wrestle.
The banquet celebrated both the competitive achievements and the dedication shown by Fairfield wrestlers throughout the season.
Photography courtesy of Amy Burkhart.
