BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
LOUISVILLE — Martin County Youth Wrestling crowned two state champions Feb. 22 in the 2026 Youth State Tournament at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
Jason West and Lukas Mays each climbed to the top of the podium in their respective age groups, delivering another strong statement from Martin County’s youth program on the state stage.
West captured the 12U, 98-pound championship while Mays claimed the 10U, 56-pound crown.
West opened his tournament with a bye before making quick work of the bracket.
In the Round of 16, West secured a fall in 2:59 over Everett Rittinger to advance.
He followed with another pin in the quarterfinals, putting Fisher Armstrong of Olympus Wrestling on his back in 1:57.
West duplicated that time in the semifinals, earning a fall at 1:57 against Reece Dorsett of North Hardin Wrestling Club to punch his ticket to the finals.
In the championship match, West controlled the action and closed out a 13-3 major decision over Zeagon Harris of Tigers Wrestling Club.
Mays captured his fourth state title in five appearances. He began his 2026 run in the Round of 32 with a fall in 1:34 over Daniel Simmons of Bearcat Wrestling Club Inc.
Mays kept the momentum in the Round of 16, pinning Connor Murray of Greenup County Youth Wrestling in 1:15.
In the quarterfinals he battled to a tight 2-0 decision over Hayden Beers of SK Elite to move into the semifinals.
There, Mays delivered one of the most dominant performances of the bracket, recording a 16-0 technical fall in 2:12 against Sawyer Taylor of Appalachian Outlaws.
The championship match proved to be a defensive battle. Mays stayed composed and secured a 2-0 decision over Cadby Brown of Woodford Elite Wrestling Club.
