BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Board of Education took time in its September meeting to celebrate the achievements of several standout students.
Superintendent Larry James did the honors, recognizing two golfers from Martin County High School, Kenadie Evans and Jaylee Deskins, for their stellar performance in the 15th Region All “A” Classic. Evans, a junior, secured the championship with a score of 93, while Deskins, a senior, finished as runner-up with a score of 97. Their impressive play bested competitors from Paintsville, Shelby Valley and Betsy Layne, earning them both spots in the state tournament.
At the state competition Sept. 8 at Gibson Bay Golf Course in Richmond, Evans tied for 16th place with a score of 91, while Deskins placed 38th in a field of more than 90 golfers.
The BOE also honored Sophie Harless for her selection as the first-ever student from Martin County to be part of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program.
During the two-year initiative, Harless will engage in cancer research, shadow clinicians, participate in career development activities and contribute to community outreach efforts.
James and the BOE celebrated the Martin County High School girls soccer team, led by head coach Steven Gauze and assistant coach Marcella Gauze, for winning their second consecutive 15th Region All “A” Classic championship. Coach Gauze, who also serves on the Board of Education as the District 4 representative, temporarily stepped away from his seat to receive the recognition.
The Lady Cardinals secured their title by defeating Pikeville 6-1 in the opening round of the Classic on Sept. 3 at Belfry. They continued their dominant run by mercy-ruling Paintsville 10-0 in the second round Sept. 5 and clinched the championship with a 3-2 victory over Prestonsburg on Sept. 8.
In the state Sweet 16, the team advanced to the Elite Eight after defeating West Carter 4-0 on Sept. 10 at Cardinal Stadium. They are set to face Bethlehem in the next round Saturday at Assumption High School in Louisville.
Reflecting on the team’s success, Coach Gauze remarked, “After last year being our first time ever going to the state tournament, you don’t expect to go back the next year. We lost 11 seniors, and, on paper, everyone said this year wasn’t going to happen for us. But I told them we would be just as good as everyone else as long as the players believed it.”
Gauze acknowledged the team’s challenging start to the season, which included losses to Ashland Blazer, Prestonsburg and Boyd County.
“We played tough teams,” he said. “We did that on purpose because we need to play better teams—and it paid off.”
The coach expressed his pride in the team.
“This year feels different,” he said. “We don’t have nine girls that have played for years and years and years; we have a couple. We have one starter who has never played in her life. But these girls play with everything they have. … I’m proud of them.”
Superintendent James presented certificates of recognition to the coaching staff and then called each of the players forward for individual recognition: Malin Burkard, Faith Caldwell, Grace Caldwell, Hope Caldwell, Vittoria Dellmotta, Kaylee Endicott, Londyn Fraley, Solene Gerard, Laura Hale, Ida Heinsen, Joline Heptner, Chloe Jude, Jaz Jude, Emily Ledford, Kailynn Maynard, Aubrey Muncy, Mia Preece, Alexis Sammons, Aaliyah Scott, Jane Smith and Jaida Williamson.