BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
GEORGETOWN — Martin County’s first-ever high school girls wrestling team did not just show up for its debut; it made history.
In the program’s inaugural season, the Lady Cardinals carved out a landmark day Jan. 31 at the Lady Cardinal Showcase at Scott County High School. Martin County finished sixth out of 12 teams. The Lady Cards put five wrestlers on the podium in one of the earliest measuring sticks for a brand-new team in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
“This gives them an opportunity to compete in a sport that builds confidence, grit, mental toughness, self-esteem, self-defense and discipline,” Martin County coach Kenny Maynard said. “Girls wrestling is also the fastest-growing sport in America. Colleges are now giving scholarships for girls to wrestle.”
The headliner was Kenleigh Estep, who delivered the first tournament title in Martin County girls wrestling history with a dominant championship run at 100 pounds. Estep pinned Clara Griffin of Scott County Central in 1:10 in the semifinals. She finished the job in the finals with a fall over Miley Pennington of Preston in 1:34 to capture first place and score 20 team points.
Kennedy Maynard added another milestone finish, taking third at 126 pounds. After a semifinal setback, she sealed third place by pinning Dezeray Morris of Wayne County at 2:25, adding 12 points for Martin County.
Three more Lady Cardinals etched their names into the program’s first chapter with fourth-place finishes. Harleigh Maynard placed fourth at 107, pinning Nadine Riggins of South Oldham in 3:52 in the consolation semifinals before falling in the third-place match.
At 120, Haleigh Smith pinned Jayla Purcell of Scott County Central in 2:48 to reach the third-place bout, where she finished fourth.
Desiray Fletcher rounded out the placers with a fourth-place finish at 100.
Two other wrestlers narrowly missed the podium but contributed to the historic showing. Bradlyne Stafford went 1-2 at 114. Brianna Muncy picked up a pin at 165, sticking Aubrey Baggett of Breathitt County in 1:36 in the consolation bracket before her run ended in the semifinals.
For girls who are curious but hesitant to try wrestling, Coach Maynard believes the environment is what wins them over.
“The camaraderie is similar to the military,” he said. “It’s a sport that has a welcoming environment and creates strong bonds between teammates.”