BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
LOUISA — The Martin County Middle School wrestling team secured a historic victory Sunday night, clinching their first-ever KFWC Region 6 championship at Lawrence County High School.
Dominating the largest region in the state with 20 teams, Martin County emerged as the champion with an impressive team score of 294.5.
MCMS also landed several individual Region 6 champions in various weight classes.
Brody Jewell, competing in the 77-lbs division, claimed first place by an 11-2 major decision against Carson Gross from Letcher County.
At 89 lbs, Blake Lemaster secured the first-place win by pinning Landyn Huffman of Belfry in 2 minutes, 44 seconds in the championship match.
Jeremy Mollett, wrestling at 101 lbs, dominated his opponent Blake Maynard of Warhawk Wrestling with a swift 49-second pin.
Jeremey Begley, competing in the 129-lbs division, took first place in the first overtime period against Cooper Scott from Warhawk Wrestling.
In the 150-lbs division, Parker Maynard secured first place by pinning Charlie Harris of Paintsville in 1 minute, 28 seconds.
In addition to the champions, three MCMS wrestlers finished as runners-up. Spencer Workman and Cole Jewell secured second place in the 285-lbs and 165-lbs divisions, respectively, while Noah Bowen achieved second place in the 115-lbs division.
Three MCMS wrestlers placed third. Aydan Warren, James Begley and Dylan Dye earned third-place finishes in the 95-lbs, 138-lbs and 185-lbs weight divisions, respectively.
Keegan Moore secured fourth place in the 285-lbs weight class, Easton Slone earned a fourth-place finish in the 138-lbs weight class, and Kenleigh Estep achieved fourth place in the 70-lbs weight class.
Blake Stacy claimed the fifth position in the 210-lbs division.
The MCMS Cards had an impressive 15 wrestlers qualify for the state championship.
The team comprises middle school students and five elementary school wrestlers, including Jase Vanhoose, Kiana Chaffin, Chase Messer and Braxton Cook.
As the team looks forward to the state championship Feb. 3 in Louisville, Coach Andrew Chaffin and the coaching staff say they are not finished yet.
“We are just chopping wood until it is all gone,” Chaffin said.
