Conference Carolinas announces 2025-26 men's wrestling all-conference awards

2/13/2026 2:00:00 PM

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The all-conference honors for Conference Carolinas men's wrestling in the 2025-26 season were released on Friday prior to the Conference Carolinas Men's Wrestling Championship.

The 2025-26 all-conference awards were chosen by the head coaches in Conference Carolinas.

Two-time defending NCAA Division II national champion, David Hunsberger of Lander University, was selected Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Year for the second straight year. It also marks the fifth time in the last six years that a Bearcat was tabbed wrestler of the year. This year, Hunsberger is 19-1, going 5-0 in conference duals. He also posted 11 wins by technical fall, one by major decision and one by fall.

Elijah Carrington of Belmont Abbey College was selected Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year. He was recently selected Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Month for January following a 5-0 month. During the month, he was tabbed Conference Carolinas Men's Wrestler of the Week on January 27. He has compiled a 19-5 record with seven wins by technical fall, four by major decision and two by fall.

After leading Lander to their second straight Conference Carolinas West Division title and fourth straight conference title, R.C. LaHaye was tabbed Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year. The Bearcats are 19-3 overall, going 10-0 in league duals, including a 7-0 division mark.
 

2025-26 Conference Carolinas
Men's Wrestling All-Conference


Wrestler of the Year
David Hunsberger, Lander

Freshman of the Year
Elijah Carrington, Belmont Abbey

Coach of the Year
R.C. LaHaye, Lander

125 Pounds
First Team: Cole Hunt, Montevallo
Second Team: Braydon Mitchell, Emmanuel
Third Team: Ricky Springs, Newberry

133 Pounds
First Team: James Joplin, Lander
Second Team: Logan Robinson, UNC Pembroke
Third Team: Elijah Carrington, Belmont Abbey

141 Pounds
First Team: Luke Kunath, Belmont Abbey
Second Team: Elijah Lusk, Lander
Third Team: Kaden Brown, Montevallo

149 Pounds
First Team: Skyler Caban, Belmont Abbey
Second Team: Max Stedeford, Montevallo
Third Team: Brennan Watkins, King

157 Pounds
First Team: Keegan Roberson, UNC Pembroke
Second Team: Matt Hoelke, Newberry
Third Team: Carson Freeman, Montevallo

165 Pounds
First Team: David Hunsberger, Lander
Second Team: Caleb Grau, UNC Pembroke
Third Team: Bo Perkins, Newberry

174 Pounds
First Team: Clint Morrisette, King
Second Team: Maxwell Kiel, Lander
Third Team: Logan Hoffman, UNC Pembroke

184 Pounds
First Team: Dylan Kohn, Lander
Second Team: Kyler Pickard, Belmont Abbey
Third Team: Jack MacKiernan, Mount Olive

197 Pounds
First Team: Caleb Moore, Belmont Abbey
Second Team: John Parker, Newberry
Third Team: Marvelous Rutledge, Lander

285 Pounds
First Team: Isaac Sheeren, Lander
Second Team: Willie Cox, Montevallo
Third Team: John Domencic, Mount Olive