BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

BATAVIA, Ohio — Martin County sent a crew of warriors to the Spatola Classic Battle for the Shield and walked away with more than bruises and mat burn. They left a mark Saturday at the Elite Athletics Sports Complex in Batavia, Ohio.

Ashton Parker Maynard was a calm storm at 150. The high schooler stalked through with the calm precision of a surgeon. First, a bye (because sometimes destiny takes its time), then a 15-3 major decision over Seth Porter of Valley View.

It got more brutal from there — a fall over Shawnee’s Alejandro Reyes at the three-minute mark, a 6-0 decision against Sir`david Shepperson of Raise the Level Wrestling Club, and another fall over Jeremiah Thomas in just 58 seconds.

Maynard won the final 3-0 over Antwain Adams of Team Stomp. But Maynard did not stomp — he suffocated. He gave up nothing. Zip. Nada.

That’s 29 team points. That’s dominance. And that’s a victory shield for Maynard.

Brody Jewell was a junior high rising star at 96 lbs. He needed just 46 seconds to pin Zane Cochran (Lawrenceburg Tigers) in the semifinal.

The final pitted Jewell against Tyler Elliott of the Dayton Bandits, a grinder who shut him out, leaving Jewell with a silver finish and 16 points.

Jeremy Mollett was the Comeback Kid at 106. He had a start that could make a lesser wrestler fold. He lost his first bout — a tight 3-3 decision against Bloomington South’s Nick Russell. But then something clicked.

Seventeen seconds into Mollett’s first consolation bout, Jamin Livingston (Fairmont) was on his back. Next came Logan Plummer (The Rawdogger, yes, seriously), pinned in under two minutes. Then Reed Bauer (Unioto)? Gone in 34 seconds. Leonard Oatman (Woodshed)? Three-minute pin. Logan Shaw (Marysville)? Pinned in just over a minute.

It was a demolition tour through the backside of the bracket, ending in a bronze medal and 21 points for the team.