BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
LOUISVILLE — Martin County Youth Wrestling Club has four state champions and finished as the medium-sized team runner-up in the KFWC Youth State Championship. The event took place Sunday at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, featuring 99 teams and almost 2,000 wrestlers.
Wrestling with 21 team members in Division 2, comprised of teams with 30 or fewer wrestlers, Martin County was fourth overall, with five wrestlers making it to the final matches and 10 placing in a huge 64-man bracket.
“It’s crazy,” Martin County head coach Andrew Chaffin said. “It’s been a very successful season full of ups and downs. Looking back, it’s quite impressive what these small-town kids have accomplished. These kids are making a name for themselves whether they know it or not.”
Keegan Moore emerged as the state champion in the 14U-250 lbs division. He pinned Landon Hensley of Raiders Wrestling Club in 32 seconds in the championship round.
Easton Slone won the 14U-149 lbs championship, pinning Grayson Wade of Derby City Legends in 2 minutes and 4 seconds.
Noah Bowen claimed the 14U-119 lbs championship in a 6-2 decision over Kamarius Ziesmer of Boyle County Wrestling Club.
Lukas May won the championship in the 8U-49 lbs division by defeating Liam Flaherty of Maritime Wrestling Academy 4-1 in the final match.
Colten Anderson finished as runner-up in the 12U-78 lbs category. Anderson won his first four rounds before falling to Brayden Montgomery of Derby City Legends in the championship match.
Kenleigh Estep (12U-67 lbs) finished third, winning her first three rounds before losing in the semifinal to Henry Fitzpatrick of ZCA Lions Wrestling. She bounced back to defeat Casen Chapman of Warhawks and Jace Newkirk of Sabertooth.
Dylan Dye (14U-187 lbs) finished third. He went 6-1 on the day.
Ezra Bowen finished fourth in the 8U-62 lbs class. Bowen won his first four rounds before losing to Cory Keeton of Lawrence County Wrestling Club. He recovered to beat Abel Brewer of Cougar Youth 9-6 and lost the third-place match to Camden Salas of Little Colonels.
Nolan Muncy finished fifth in the 12U-135 lbs class, going 4-2 on the day.
Ayden Warren was fifth in the 14U-97 lbs class. He went 4-2 on the day.
In 6U-45 lbs, Charlotte Kelly faced defeat by Timber Evans from Maritime Wrestling Academy but secured a win over Dawson Hamilton from Floyd County Youth Wrestling Club. Kelly’s journey ended after a loss to Kaseton Ramey from Floyd County Youth Wrestling Club.
Bransyn Hannah (8U-49 lbs) managed to win over Grady Martin from Nelson County Wrestling Club but was defeated by Adelyn Cooper from Campbell County Wrestling Club.
At 10U-63 lbs, Jeremiah Vanhoose advanced through the consolation rounds before falling to Kampton Bearfield from Rebels Youth Wrestling. He went 5-2 on the day.
Greyson Maynard (10U-67 lbs) had a series of wins, progressing through the consolation rounds until facing a defeat by Gage Gross from Youth Cougars Wrestling Club. He was 6-2 on the day.
Jase VanHoose (10U-77 lbs) won his first round, lost the second round, and then recovered to win three consolation rounds before he was stopped by Blake Fentress from Derby City Legends.
Charlie Mollett (12U-63 lbs) faced an early exit after defeats by Gabriel Groene from Simon Kenton Elite Wrestling and Liam Fabela from Carr Wrestling Academy.
Kianna Chaffin went 2-2 on the day in the 12U-86 lbs division.
Kennedy Maynard went 3-2 in the 12U-98 lbs class.
Corbin Blackburn went 1-2 on the day in 14U-165 lbs; Bentley Smith went 1-2 in the 14U-187 lbs class; and Kaiden Ball went 1-2 in 14U-250 lbs.
