A wave of frustration and heartbreak has swept through Pike County after families learned that the Warhawks Wrestling Club, a beloved youth and school-affiliated wrestling program has been displaced by the district.
The move, which parents say came without sufficient notice or explanation, has left dozens of young athletes without a home mat, sparking a passionate protest outisde the Pike County School District office.
The Warhawks Wrestling Club has been a cornerstone for student-athletes in the community, particularly those who found belonging and discipline through the sport.
Parents and supporters gathered holding signs and voicing concerns, pleading with district leaders to reconsider a decision they feel unfairly punishes the kids who have worked for years to build something meaningful.
WYMT’s Buddy Forbes reported from the scene, saying that “a small group gathered at the Pike County School District today, protesting the district’s recent decision to displace the Warhawks Wrestling Club.”
Forbes confirmed that a full story on the controversy would air later in the evening on WYMT.
While district officials have not released a detailed public statement explaining the reasoning behind the decision, those close to the program say the issue centers on space and coaching staff availability. Richie Ward commented,
From my understanding they need a coach.Can’t have a wrestling team without a coach!
Richie Ward
However, families and former wrestlers say the problem runs deeper, alleging years of underfunding and lack of support from the school system for wrestling programs across like Pike County.
Michael Dwayne Helvey shared his personal experience:
“The wrestling program at Pike Central was never supported by the school or board even when my son went to school. They did away with the program — thanks to the board. It broke my son’s heart.”
Michael Dwayne Helvey
For many parents, the Warhawks were more than a team, they were family. Jana Hall, whose sons participated in the club, expressed her disappointment and heartbreak. She wrote,
My boys truly thrived with the Warhawks! Great team and great coaches, we truly need more humans in this world like that Maynards!
Jana Hall
She referred the comment to longtime coaches Justin and Tiffany Maynard, who helped build the club from the ground up.
The Maynards have earned widespread respect throughout Pike County for their dedication to youth development and mentorship.
Many see the district’s move as a blow not just to wrestling, but to a community institution built on love, structure, and perseverance.
Sabra Robinson wrote,
Justin Maynard this may be a blessing in disguise your program deserves better than that old gym anyway!!
Sabra Robinson
Vanessa Blankenship voiced what many parents were feeling:
“It’s unbelievably sad that the program that was built from the ground up has been destroyed. The kids that were on that team have been there since childhood! They’ve had the same coaches SINCE CHILDHOOD… Those coaches produced STATE CHAMPIONS like Brayln Maynard, and other great wrestlers. It’s sickening beyond belief that those children’s dreams and the program they loved meant so little to the school board. What a shame.”
Vanessa Blankenship
That sense of injustice is echoed by Leon Varney, who added,
It a shame that the school board could have done something about this issue instead saying no more wrestling for this school
Leon Varney
Meanwhile, some in the community have suggested alternatives, such as moving the club’s practices to other available activities. Susan Allen Hylton wrote,
Check with the owner of the old Virgie school. They have a gym.
Susan Allen Hylton
Not everyone agrees with the focus of the protest, however. JenDasila McClanahanbuck wrote,
How about we protest the lack of support for the arts in this area? Well there are so many more important things we could protest about as far as the school system goes in this county
JenDasila McClanahanbuck
Rebecca Patterson summarized the heartbreak succinctly: “Our county is losing a state champion over this BS.”
