BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County Youth Wrestling turned in a strong day on the mats at the KWFC Region 6 Tournament Saturday at Martin County High School. The Cardinals claimed four regional championships, a runner-up, two fourth-place finishes and a sixth-place finish.
Seven of Coach Andrew Chaffin’s youth matmen will advance to state competition next month: James Blackburn, Lukas Mays, Greyson Maynard, Jason West, David West, Bastian Fletcher and Jeremiah Looney. Haeven Messer will advance as an alternate.
James Blackburn captured first place at 6U 35 pounds, totaling 22 team points. After opening the bracket with byes, Blackburn sealed the title with a pin of Hayes Sloas (BOCO) at 2:36 in the championship match.
The 10U group added more gold.
Lukas Mays won first place at 56 pounds, scoring 24 team points. He pinned Sawyer Taylor (APOU) in 2:25 in the semifinals before sticking Connor Murray (GCYW) in 42 seconds to take the title.
The 12U division showed out.
At 82 pounds, Greyson Maynard claimed the regional title and added 23.5 team points. Maynard opened with a pin of Christopher Brown (GCYW) in 47 seconds, then rolled into the finals with a technical fall over Logan Crabtree (GCYW) in 2:53. In the championship bout, he outlasted Gunner Kennard (GCYW) in sudden victory.
Jason West added another championship for Martin County at 98 pounds, scoring 24 team points. West pinned Oakley Gulley (EACA) in 1 minute in the semifinals. He pinned Rylan Hackney (BELF) in 31 seconds in the first-place match.
David West took runner-up at 92 pounds, adding 17.5 points. West recorded a technical fall over Bryce Doolin (BOCO) in 1:51, then won a 6-4 decision over Caiden Blackburn (JOCO) in the semifinals before falling to Tucker Wyatt (BECO) by pin in the finals.
Bastian Fletcher placed fourth at 74 pounds in 12U.
In the 10U, Jeremiah Looney finished fourth at 71 pounds, battling back through the consolation side to reach the third-place match.
Teammate Haeven Messer placed sixth at 71 pounds.