Mays earns Most Valuable Wrestler

BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Three Martin County wrestlers competed for Team Kentucky at the 2025 Heartland USA National Duals on March 29 and 30 at Mid America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Lukas Mays received the prestigious Most Valuable Wrestler award after placing fourth in the gold bracket and securing a 7-1 overall record in the 50 lb weight class.

Mays’ wins included four decisions: a 6-3 victory over Daniel Choo of Texas Blue East, another 6-3 decision against Chase Amorn-Vichet of Illinois Lower East, a 6-0 win over Daniel Rodriguez of Nebraska West East, and a close 4-3 decision over Braxton Moore of North East Rural East.

He also pinned 43 seconds against Zane Chrisler of Kansas 5 Eastand in 43 seconds and beat Cooper Bailey of Kansas 3 East 12-0.

Mays won by forfeit against Kansas 4 East.

Mays’ sole loss came against Archer Dunn of Mississippi Mid East.

Kenleigh Estep dominated on the mat with an impressive 7-1 record.

She competed in the 82 lb weight class achieving six victories by fall. She pinned Mackenzie Moe of Indiana Blue Girls (INBG) twice, first in 2:27 and later in 37 seconds.

Additional falls came against Alexcia Duran of Kansas 1 Girls in 2:32, Crickett Arnold of Tuscaloosa Area Girls in 23 seconds, Daisy Rosales of Texas Red Girls in 48 seconds, and MarLee Thar of Wyoming 1 Girls in 3:40.

Estep also won by forfeit against South Dakota Girls. Estep’s only loss was a 6-3 decision against Brindley Mazzulla of Nebraska Blue Girls.

Team Kentucky girls placed eighth overall.

Nolan Muncy wrestled in the 140 lb weight division for Team Kentucky and got a couple of impressive wins.

Muncy pinned Cade Swartz of Kansas 5 East in 1:13 and Jacoby Compton of Kansas 4 East in 32 seconds.

Team Kentucky placed fourth overall.