BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
ASHLAND — Two Martin County girls made history by winning state wrestling titles in the 2024 Kentucky Girls Youth State Championships. The inaugural tournament was Sunday at Boyd County High School in Ashland.
Kennedy Maynard and Kenleigh Estepp both won championships in their divisions. Teammates Kianna Chaffin finished as the runner-up, while Charlie Mollett and Charlotte Kelly won third place in their classes.
Martin County Youth Wrestling coach Andrew Chaffin described Sunday as “an emotional day, to say the least.”
The event brought around 200 girls to the eastern side of Kentucky.
“The turnout blows my mind,” Coach Chaffin said.
Maynard claimed victory in the 12U 102-lbs division by defeating Oliva Back of 606 Elite 2-9 in the title round. She pinned Isabella Priddy of Olympus Wrestling in 2:48 in round 1.
Estep secured her title in the 12U 64-lbs division. She defeated Brielle Richardson of CKWC 8-1 in the title round after pinning Paisley Tucker of Trojan Youth in 30 seconds in the first round.
Chaffin faced tough competition in the 12U 81-lbs division. She beat Aaliyah Hackney of Belfry in the semifinal before losing the first-place match to Olivia Butler of Braves Youth.
Mollett clinched third in 12U 69 lbs by beating Rory Adams of 606 Elite 8-1 in the third-place match.
Kelly pinned Amelia Magee of Braves Wrestling in 55 seconds to secure third place in the 6U 45-lbs division.
Brianna Muncy wrestled in the 14U 143-lbs division, going 1-2 on the day and contributing points to her team. Haeven Messer had two tough losses in the 8U 50-lbs division.
Coach Chaffin, father of Kianna Chaffin, said watching his daughter wrestle the last six years had been challenging.
“It was years before she even wrestled another girl,” he said.
“The courage it takes amazes me – for these girls to keep showing up week after week and year after year,” said the coach, adding that he was proud of his daughter and the entire group.
“Everywhere we go, everyone is always telling us we have the toughest girls around. I truly believe that and couldn’t be more proud of them.”