BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Three Martin County wrestlers were in the spotlight during the Martin County Fiscal Court meeting. Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty introduced Cole Jewell, Brody Jewell and Parker Maynard and awarded them certificates for their achievements this season.
“We couldn’t be prouder of you,” Lafferty told the trio. “We have some incredible young people in our county, and we appreciate the opportunity to honor them.”
The three are members of the Martin County Cardinals Wrestling Club, which won the Kentucky Middle School State Duals championship, WSAZ Invitational championship and KFWC Youth State runner-up this season. In March they were part of a 16-member Team Kentucky that competed in the Heartland National Duals in Council Bluffs, Iowa, marking the first time in over 20 years that Martin County wrestlers were invited to the team.
Overall, Team Kentucky finished sixth in the gold bracket in the Heartland.
Parker, a repeat Kentucky state champion, pinned five of seven opponents and defeated another by sudden victory at 150 lbs. He ranked first on the Kentucky team for most pins in the least time.
Cole, a Kentucky state fourth-place finisher, defeated a Texas wrestler by decision at 175 lbs.
Brody, a Kentucky state runner-up, pinned one man out of Kansas and beat another by decision at 80 lbs.
Cole and Parker are both 15 and in the eighth grade at Martin County Middle School. Brody is 12 and in the sixth grade at Warfield Elementary.
After leading the Fiscal Court in the Pledge of Allegiance, the three young men spoke, starting with Cole.
“I’m really excited to be here,” Cole said. “I’m happy to have my coaches, my dad, Coach Andy, a bunch of other coaches, and my friends.”
Regarding competing in Iowa, he said, “It was rough; there were a lot of really good wrestlers.”
Cole said he made “a lot of good friends” on Team Kentucky. “They were all very nice. I just hung out with most of them all the time.”
Cole credited his home team: “I wouldn’t have been there without all of my teammates. Without my teammates, I would have never gotten to practice or be in that spot. I’m just thankful that God blessed me with the life I have, and I’m very happy to be here.”
Brody thanked the Fiscal Court for recognizing the trio and gave a shoutout to his team.
“We wouldn’t be here if our team didn’t help us along the way,” Brody said. “If I hadn’t had my team and practice partners, I wouldn’t have made it to state, I wouldn’t have made it past regions, we wouldn’t have won state duals. There are plenty of things our team has done for us, and I would like to thank them for it.”
Parker echoed the sentiment of his teammates, thanking the fiscal court for inviting them to speak. He also thanked his team.
“I wouldn’t have been anywhere today without them,” Parker said. He expressed gratitude to his coaches—Andy [Chaffin], Jason [Jewell], JD Damron, John Stafford, Josh Muncy, Dan Muncy [and JJ]. “I wouldn’t know half the stuff I know without them.”
Finally, Parker thanked the Jewell brothers and others for putting in the work after the season.
“That’s what sets us apart,” he said. “This year, as a team, we won middle school state duals for the first time ever. I wasn’t even at the WSAZ and we still won it.”
Brody clarified, “The coaches carried the team that day.”
Parker bragged about Brody, saying, “He placed second in middle school as a sixth-grader.”
Cole and Brody are the sons of Jason and Jessica Jewell. Cole likes attending church with his family, serving God, playing sports, playing his guitar and being with his friends. Brody likes going to church, playing sports, riding dirt bikes and four-wheelers and being with his family.
Parker is the son of Ashley Maynard and Asher Maynard. He enjoys going to church, hunting, fishing, riding and playing sports.