Some athletes grow up dreaming of the sport they now compete in. For Kenneth Carter, that passion started with a childhood misunderstanding. “Honestly, my young self-thought it was WWE, and I wanted to be one of them,” he admitted. That early excitement quickly turned into a lifelong dedication to wrestling, a sport he has been committed to since he was seven years old. Now, as a senior at McAlester High School, he has one goal in mind: “My goal is to be able to complete my dream whenever I started this sport when I was seven years old—that is to be a state champion.”
Wrestling isn’t just about personal success for Kenneth; it’s about the team. This year, he has seen incredible growth in McAlester’s wrestling program. “My team this year is the definition of how hard work pays off. Going from barely being able to fill a lineup to having to have wrestle-offs in nearly every weight,” he said. As one of three team captains, he embraces his leadership role naturally. “Honestly, I never prepared for it other than just working to make myself the best possible wrestler and person I can be.”
Training for wrestling requires both individual focus and team dedication. “Just depends on how I wrestled last week. We work as a team, but also, you have to improve on your own. How I improve my wrestling is I base it on my performance the week before,” he explained. His ability to reflect and adjust has helped him overcome challenges, including tough losses. “Just accepting a hard loss and being able to learn from it and move on” is one of the biggest hurdles he has faced.
Looking ahead, Kenneth has a clear vision for his future. “In five years, I hope to have a successful business. I plan to continue to coach and help this sport grow,” he shared. Whether it’s on the mat or in his career, one thing remains the same: his determination. “How I never gave up. When things got tough, I always finished it,” he said, reflecting on what he’s most proud of in his career.
