BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County Middle School wrestlers Parker Maynard and the Jewell brothers, Cole and Brody, have done everything together—from squirrel hunting and riding 4-wheelers to baseball, football and wrestling. This year, the trio will be part of the 20-member Team Kentucky traveling March 27 to the Heartland USA Duals in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to dual with wrestling teams from 49 other states. On Thursday, they were the guest speakers at the Kiwanis Club luncheon at Shufflin Café.
Assistant wrestling coach Jason Jewell, dad to Cole and Brody, accompanied the boys, saying they were selected to the team out of thousands of wrestlers in the state.
“This is the first time in about 20 years that wrestlers from Martin County have been invited to the team,” Jason said.
Bellarmine University Division I wrestling staff will coach Team Kentucky while the event gives wrestlers the opportunity to gain collegiate interest and showcase their skills against top competitors.
Martin County Youth and Middle School Wrestling Club’s journey began eight years ago.
“We had three or four kids who qualified for the state tournament,” said Jason of the club’s first season. “This year, we had 15 to qualify.”
Being a wrestling club, the team has struggled through the years to find a consistent practice space. That changed when the Martin County Library Board allowed them to use the vacant former Martin County Public Library in Inez.
“It helped us a lot,” remarked Jason. “And we appreciate it.”
Kiwanis member John Triplett questioned how using the vacant library building contributed to the team’s success.
“We got to practice earlier in the season,” explained Jason.
Kiwanis member Susie Skyles asked if wrestling practices in the former library building would end since the library board plans to lease the facility for use as an addiction recovery after-care center.
Kiwanis member Maurice Mills, who also serves as the chairman of the library board, said, “Yes, it ends.”
Jason quickly noted the club would be fine, was accustomed to finding practice space, and appreciated the library’s hospitality.
The wrestling club, under the leadership of head coach Andrew Chaffin, often has around 60 wrestlers competing in tournaments.
“He dedicates everything to these kids,” Jason said of Coach Chaffin. “And it’s not just boys. We had three girls win state championships Sunday.”
Jason drew chuckles from Kiwanis members and the boys when he shared a story about Maynard trying to convince Cole and Brody to start wrestling.
“Brody thought it was like the wrestling on TV and wanted to wrestle, but Cole didn’t want to wrestle,” said Jason.
The boys finished the story by saying that one day at football practice, Maynard told Cole, “I’ll wrestle you,” and then used a Samurai move on Cole.
“I’ve done that same move to everyone since,” confessed Maynard, who started in the sport when he was 5 years old and is embarking on his 11th year.
“We have never had a Martin County Middle School team as good as we have now,” added Maynard. “And it is just because of the dedication of the coaches.”
The 15-year-old Maynard is a four-time national champion, two-time middle school state champion and four-time elementary state champion. He clinched his second consecutive middle school championship in February at 150 lbs. Wrestling on the high school level for Martin County, he is the 2024 KHSAA Region 8 champion and state sixth-place finisher at 144 lbs. He also won the KYWCA 1A State Duals championship and other tournaments this season.
Maynard, Cole, and Brody thanked the Kiwanis Club for donating money to help pay for expenses for their upcoming trip.
“It’s very expensive,” said Maynard. “We really appreciate it.”
Cole Jewell, 15, is the middle school regional runner-up and state fourth-place finisher at 165 lbs. He claimed the championship in the prestigious Bobby Bates Youth Classic in the 14U 162 class. He has consistently been a top 3 finisher throughout his eight-year wrestling career.
“I worked and worked, and last year, got to the point where I could wrestle pretty good,” Cole said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to talk to you guys and to join the Team Kentucky and represent Martin County.”
Brody Jewell finished as a state runner-up at 77 lbs and won the Region 6 middle school championship along with the Hatfield & McCoy and Bobby Bates titles this season. Throughout his eight years in wrestling, he has won numerous tournaments and been a top 3 finisher and state champion. He told Kiwanis members that he was excited and grateful for the opportunity.
Jokingly, Jason said he dreads the 13-hour drive to Iowa with the three boys in the car.