Wapello Community Schools

Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate another great night of Wapello baseball, but also to recognize individuals whose accomplishments have forever shaped the proud tradition of Indian athletics.
The Wapello High School Athletics Hall of Fame exists to honor those athletes, coaches, and contributors whose dedication, excellence, and sportsmanship have left a lasting legacy for generations of Indians to follow.
Our next inductee exemplifies everything that Wapello baseball has stood for—hard work, determination, humility, and excellence.
It is my privilege to introduce Class of 2026 Hall of Fame inductee, Gage Carpenter.
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There are special athletes who come through a program every few years.
Then there are athletes whose careers become the standard by which every future player is measured.
For Wapello baseball, Gage Carpenter is one of those athletes.
During his career wearing the blue and gold, Gage established himself as one of the finest two-way baseball players in school history. Whether he was standing on the pitcher's mound or stepping into the batter's box, he had the ability to change the outcome of a game every single day.
His accomplishments speak for themselves.
Gage was a three-time First Team All-Conference selection in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
In 2013, he was named Conference Player of the Year, recognizing him as the premier player in the league.
He also earned First Team All-District honors twice, was a two-time Second Team All-State selection, earned INA All-State honors, was named the Burlington Hawkeye Player of the Year, and was selected to compete in the IHSBCA Senior All-Star Games in Des Moines.
Those honors alone would make for an exceptional career.
But when you look deeper into the record book, Gage's legacy becomes even more impressive.
He still holds Wapello High School records for:
• Most career home runs with 22
• Most career RBIs with 119
• Most career doubles with 27
• Most career walks with 72
• Most career strikeouts as a pitcher with 377
In a single season, he set school records with:
• 12 home runs
• 39 walks
• 39 runs scored
• A staggering 1.061 slugging percentage
• And an incredible .650 on-base percentage
He also ranks among Wapello's all-time leaders in batting average, RBIs, pitching victories, ERA, strikeouts, and runs scored. Simply put, there are very few pages in the Wapello baseball record book that don't include the name Gage Carpenter.
His individual success translated directly into team success.
Gage helped lead the Indians to a school-record 25 victories during the 2013 season, a conference championship, and only the program's second Substate appearance in 2012.
Following graduation, he continued his baseball career at Southeastern Community College before finishing at Lee University, representing Wapello with the same pride and determination that had defined his high school career.
While statistics tell much of the story, they don't tell all of it.
The impact an athlete leaves on teammates, coaches, and the community often says even more.
Former Head Coach Brown shared these words about Gage:
"Absolutely the greatest talent I have ever had the privilege of coaching on a baseball field. Gage was absolutely dominant on the mound and in the batter's box. He may be the best amateur baseball player I have ever seen in person. It was an honor to coach him. The support his family gave to him and Indians baseball will forever be one of my greatest memories on the field. This is an honor that is long overdue."
Coach Brown's words remind us that Hall of Fame careers are about much more than numbers.
They are about leadership.
They are about commitment.
They are about representing your school and community with pride every time you step onto the field.
Gage Carpenter did exactly that.
His achievements inspired teammates, excited fans, and raised the standard of excellence for Wapello baseball.
Tonight, we proudly recognize those accomplishments and celebrate a career that has earned its rightful place among the very best in Wapello High School history.
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Ladies and gentlemen...
It is my great honor to welcome Gage Carpenter as a member of the Wapello High School Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Hall of Fame inductee... Gage Carpenter!

Please join us for the Activities Department golf tournament. Please register with Brandon Brown ASAP.

Email: brandon.brown@wapellocsd.org
Cell: 563-506-2341
You may also register at Heritage Oaks Clubhouse