On Feb. 20, 2026, junior Quintin McLeod traveled to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to compete in the IHSAA Boys Wrestling State Finals. McLeod was one of 224 wrestlers in Indiana to qualify for state from a total of 7,280 boys.
With this being his first year advancing to state, McLeod feels proud of himself.
“I set the goal after my season-ending loss that I would go to state this year,” McLeod said. “I trained for hours for months, and only added more to my workload once the season started. While I didn’t place this year, I’m glad to have the experience and be recognized as one of the best in Indiana going into the offseason.”
With this being the first time Logansport boys wrestling has advanced to state since 2016, coach Sam Fry feels this is a big accomplishment and that LHS can do it again.
“I know how hard we work for this,” Fry said. “We put in hours year-round to prepare, in the weight room and in the wrestling room. It is a proud moment for me, but I am not satisfied. I believe we can bring Logansport wrestling back to its former glory and make this a regular occurrence.”
Sophomore Cooper Huffman feels LHS will be able to send more wrestlers to state once again.
“I feel that, yes, the boys wrestling team will continue to send wrestlers to state because of the talent and potential I see in the wrestling room every day,” Huffman said.
McLeod has had a lot of support throughout his wrestling journey, but the person who has helped him the most is his coach, Randy Jackson.
“I’ve spent more time training with him in two years than I have at my own home,” McLeod said. “He sacrifices time and money to see me not only be the best in my sport, but in life outside of wrestling as well.”
With state being a bigger event than just a regular wrestling meet, Fry feels there are many necessities one must put in to prepare.
“You have to perfect your technique, get rid of major flaws, and be in the physical condition to survive,” Fry said. “This is a long season in a physically demanding sport; just making it to the end without injury is difficult. So, preparing for state doesn’t happen in the weeks before; it starts years before.”
Along with this, Fry and the other coaches have already started preparing McLeod for the next season.
“I think Quintin was a little awestruck by the lights and size of the crowd, causing him to not wrestle to the best of his ability,” Fry said. “Now, we have experienced that and know what to expect for next year. We are already preparing for next year and figuring out how to prepare Quintin to place higher, and to, hopefully, get every other wrestler farther in the tournament than they went this year.”
Qualifying for such state motivates his teammates and future wrestlers.
“Quintin has inspired me in many ways, such as always doing things that are hard even though it’s difficult to get through them,” Huffman said. “He has also inspired me to be the best person and athlete I could be, always.”
With McLeod inspiring others, he also has some words of his own for his current and future teammates.
“The only advice I have for my teammates and anyone interested in wrestling is to be the hardest worker in the room,” McLeod said. “Be addicted to working hard and enjoying the process instead of chasing results. Be your biggest fan as well. There are so many opinions of me online and anywhere else, but all that matters is how you view yourself and your work ethic and skillset.”
