Derailed early in his wrestling career, South’s Martin rides undefeated season to state title as a senior

by Van Williams | Dec 22, 2024 | Alaska Sports Report

South’s Hayden Martin shoots for a double-leg takedown against SWDP’s Gage Runnels to the mat during the 215 final. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report

From ring worm to ringleader, South Wolverines’ wrestler Hayden Martin’s journey to Saturday’s state final was exactly that, a journey.

He was unable to finish his freshman season because of ring worm. A hip injury wiped away his sophomore season and limited his junior season, although he battled to place fourth at state.

Back for more, Martin capped a dream senior season by going 44-0 and winning the 215-pound weight class in the ASAA Division I state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center after he pinned Gage Runnels of the Student Development Wrestling Program in the title match.

Martin took control 40 seconds into the match with a double-leg takedown and continued to lean on Runnels for the rest of the first period. When Runnels stood up, Martin slammed him back to the mat.

Martin was in the down position to start the second and quickly scored an escape to go up 4-0. This dude is country strong and took Runnels down again with near-fall points to run his lead to 9-0.

Late in the second period, Martin went back to his money move, that devastating double-leg takedown and this time he slammed Runnels hard to the mat, which left the SWDP standout in obvious pain.....

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