Six county wrestlers advance to state, led by New Prairie champions

Jeffrey Huyvaert returns to state tournament after strong performance last year

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Six wrestlers from the local county have qualified for the state wrestling tournament, led by a trio of champions from New Prairie High School. Jeffrey Huyvaert, who competed at state last year, is among the qualifiers.

Why it matters

The state wrestling tournament is a prestigious event that showcases the top high school wrestlers in the state. Qualifying for state is a major accomplishment that highlights the skill and hard work of these athletes and their programs.

The details

The six wrestlers who qualified for state include three champions from New Prairie High School - Jeffrey Huyvaert, Samantha Rodriguez, and Ethan Gonzalez. Huyvaert competed at state last year and is returning this year after another strong performance. The other qualifiers are from neighboring schools in the county.

  • The state wrestling tournament will take place in March 2026.

The players

Jeffrey Huyvaert

A wrestler from New Prairie High School who qualified for the state tournament for the second year in a row.

Samantha Rodriguez

A wrestler from New Prairie High School who qualified for the state tournament as a champion.

Ethan Gonzalez

A wrestler from New Prairie High School who qualified for the state tournament as a champion.

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What they’re saying

“I'm excited to be back at state and have another chance to compete against the best wrestlers in Indiana.”

— Jeffrey Huyvaert

What’s next

The state wrestling tournament will take place in March 2026, where the six county qualifiers will compete against the top wrestlers in the state.

The takeaway

The success of these county wrestlers, especially the trio of champions from New Prairie, demonstrates the strength of the local wrestling programs and the dedication of these athletes to their sport.