Young and Thompson win state championships, lead Lady Royals to a third-place finish

Lexi Young and Ava Thompson both won state championships while helping the Mason County Lady Royals to a third-place finish at the Clarks Pump-n-Shop Class 2A Track and Field State Championships on Friday at the University of Kentucky.

Young is the triple jump (35' 0.75") state champion and the high jump state champion (5' 8") while Thompson is the pole vault state champion (12' 00").

Young finished second in the long jump (17" 9.75") and third in the 100 meter dash (12.62).

The Lady Royals ended up with 68 points. Lexington Catholic won the state championship with 88 points and Calloway County was the runner-up with 75 points.

Here is a link to the complete results.

The Class 2A Triple Jump Champion is Lexi Young. pic.twitter.com/lvCrYaJfnN

— MileSplit Heartland (@MSHeartland_) May 30, 2025

The Class 2A High Jump Champion is Lexi Young. pic.twitter.com/BuPiL3qipo

— MileSplit Heartland (@MSHeartland_) May 30, 2025

The Class 2A Pole Vault Champion is Ava Thompson. pic.twitter.com/uyBPMC0xyk

— MileSplit Heartland (@MSHeartland_) May 30, 2025

Outdoor Girls’ Class 2A Track & Field
Congratulations to our third place team Mason County #khstr
📸 @MSHeartland_ @jenschoenegge @crumekelly81773 pic.twitter.com/jTF7IKFbi0

— KHSAA Main (@KHSAA) May 30, 2025

Lady Royals second, Royals fourth in Tennessee track and field meet

The Mason County track and field teams spent part of spring break in Tennessee and competed in the Oak Ridge Legends Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

The Lady Royals finished second to Mountain Brooks High School of Alabama and the Royals took fourth place.

Reese Hardeman broke the school record for outdoor shot put with a throw of 34' 6". The previous record was set in 1989.

Ava Thompson broke her own school record in the pole vault with a vault of 12 feet.

There were 13 performances that currently rank Mason County athetes in the top five of Class AA in Kentucky and another 12 performances that place the athletes between sixth and 10th place in Class AA.

Here is a link to the results.

Mason County will compete in AJ's Heart of Bluegrass Track Classic in Harrodsburg this Saturday.

Another sweep for the Mason County track and field teams

The Mason County girls' and boys' track and field teams swept the indoor meet at their home facility for their third straight week on Saturday.

The Lady Royals finished with 133 points. The Bishop Brossart Lady 'Stangs were second with 86.5 points. 

The Royals racked up 86.5 points. Henry County was the runner-up with 51 points.

First place finishes by Mason County athletes include:

• Sarah Payne, girls' 400 meter dash (1:02.60)

• Lexi Young, girls' high jump (5'-2") and girls' long jump (17'-1.50")

• Ava Thompson, girls' pole vault (11'-0")

• Dashawn Overly, boys' 1600 meter run (4:47.03)

• Ed Brannon, boys' 3200 meter run (10:42.87)

• Nazir Metts, boys' high jump (6'-0")

• Kennan Galloway, boys' pole vault (11'-0)

Another sweep for the Mason County track and field teams

For the second straight week, the Mason County girls' and boys' indoor track and field teams swept a Mason County meet on Saturday.

The Lady Royals finished with 166 points. The Harrison County Fillies were a distant second with 40 points.

The Royals had a team score of 108.5. Madison Southern finished second with 61 points.

Mason County athletes with first place finishes include:

• Kenzie Gulley, girls' 55 meter dash (7.58)
• Sarah Payne, girls' 400 meter dash (1:03.00)
• Lexi Young, girls' high jump (5-0) and girls' long jump (16-9.25)
• Ava Thompson, girls' pole vault (11-1)
• Dashawn Overly, boys' 1600 meter run (4:45.50) and boys' 3200 meter run (10:29.17)
• Nazir Metts, boys' high jump (6-0)
• Keenan Galloway, boys' pole vault (11-6)
• The girls' 4x400 meter relay team (4:34.00)
• The boys' 4x400 meter relay team (3:55.78)

Mason County will host Indoor Meet No. 3 this Saturday.

Mason County sweeps first indoor track and field meet of the season

The Mason County girls' and boys' indoor track and field teams swept the Mason County No. 1 meet on Saturday.

The Lady Royals finished with 122 points. Ryle was the runner-up. The Royals tallied 107 points. Bishop Brossart took second place with 67 points.

Mason County High School athletes with first place finishes include:

• Jaxen Crabtree, boys' 55 meter dash (6.94)
• Ava Thompson, girls' high jump (5-00.00)
• Trazon Lang, boys' high jump (6-00.00)
• Sarah Payne, girls' pole vault (10-00.00)
• Keenan Galloway, boys' pole vault (11-06.00)
• Reese Hardeman, girls shot put (33-07.00)
• The boys' 4x800 meter relay team (9:28.20)
• The girls' 4x400 meter relay team (4:35.99)

Mason County will host its second meet this Saturday.

Seven Mason County track and field athletes named to all-state teams

Seven Mason County track and field athletes received all-state honors from the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association based on state meet performance.

Ava Thompson (pole vault) and the boys' 4x800 meter relay team of Bryant Curtis, Ed Brannon, Peyton Ullery and Deshawn Overly were named First Team All-State.

Madison Howard (long jump) and Sarah Payne (pole vault and 200 meter dash) were named Second Team All-State.

Five Mason County track and field athletes selected for Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program

Five Mason County track and field athletes have been accepted into the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program. The track and field program made the announcement on X.

The students are Cece Hiatt, Ed Brannon, Madison Howard, Ava Thompson and Sarah Payne.

The Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program is a summer residential session on college campuses for outstanding rising seniors.

Students are nominated by their high schools and then compete on a state-wide level for about 1,000 available spots.

Two new Mason County outdoor track and field records set on Saturday

Two new Mason County outdoor track and field records were set at the Tates Creek Commordore Classic on Saturday.

Deshawn Overly won the 3200 meter run in a school record time of 10:04.50. 

The previous school record of 10:06.20 was set in 1989.

Ed Brannon finished second in the 3200 meter run on Saturday and beat the old mark with a time of 10:05.50.

Ava Thompson broke her own school in the pole vault, clearing 11 feet, one inch. The previous record was 10 feet, six inches.

Thompson is ranked No.1 in the state in Class 2A.

Another meet sweep by the Mason County girls' and boys' track and field teams

The Mason County girls' and boys' track and field teams swept Mason County Indoor Meet #4 on Saturday, the final meet of the regular season.

The Lady Royals and Royals swept three of the four Mason County meets. The Lady Royals won all four meets at their home facility.

Despite not being at full strength on Saturday, according to coach Mark Kachler, the Lady Royals finished with 96 points. Dixie Heights took second place with 50 points.

In the boys' meet, the Royals had 64 points while Batavia finished second with 46 points.

Amirah Reed broke the girls' indoor school record in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 9:58 and finished third.

Mason County athletes who won events on Saturday include:

• Lexi Young, girls' 55 meter dash (7.56) and girls' high jump (5-02.00)
• Sarah Payne, girls' 400 meter dash (1:04.90)
• Ava Thompson, girls' pole vault (11-00.00)
• Nicholas Schiltz, boys' 800 meter run (2:14.99)
• Dashawn Overly, boys' 1500 meter run (4:37.70)
• Keenan Galloway, boys' pole vault (11-00.00)

The Mason County teams will find out later this week how many athletes qualify for the state championships. Athletes must be in the top two of their team and also have a top 24 Class 2A performance in their event or events. 

The Class 2A state championships will take Saturday at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in Louisville. 

Lady Royals 1st, Royals 2nd at Mason County Indoor Meet #2

Another win for the Mason County Lady Royals and a runner-up finish for the Royals at the second indoor track and field meet of the season at Mason County on Saturday.

The Lady Royals finished with 124 points. Beechwood took second place with 74.5 points.

Beechwood won the boys' meet with 99 points. The Royals, who were short-handed because the distance runners missed the meet to run at Centre College on Sunday, had 71 points.

CJ Arthur won the boys' 55 meter dash in a school record time of 6.64.

Ava Thompson won the girls' pole vault and set a new school record at 10-feet, nine-inches one week after trying the record at 10-feet, six-inches.

Lexi Young finished second in the shot put while setting a new school record with a throw of 33-feet, four and a-half inches. 

Young won the girls' high jump at five-feet, six inches.

Mason County Indoor Meet #3 is this Saturday.

Lady Royals set three school records and finish third at AJ's Heart of Bluegrass Track Classic, Royals finish seventh

The Mason County Lady Royals set three new school records and took third place at AJ's Heart of the Bluegrass Track Classic in Harrodsburg Saturday. The Royals finished in seventh place.

The new school records were set by Lexi Young with a first place finish in the high jump (5-06.00), Ava Thompson in the pole vault (10-06.00) and the girls 4x800 meter relay team of Layla Henderson, Kolby Galloway, Elizabeth Lavinder and Paige Decker (10:04.24). 

Young also won the long jump (17-07.50).

Here is a link to the complete results.

The Mason County Invitational is next Saturday.

Mason County girls' and boys' indoor track teams get third sweep, two records broken

For the third time in as many weeks, the Mason County girls' and boys' indoor track and field teams swept a meet on Saturday at the Mason County Indoor Athletic Complex.

The Lady Royals finished with 103 points. Simon Kenton was second with 69 points.

The Royals racked up 106.5 points. Boyd County was a distance second with 38 points.

Both Mason County teams are 3-0 this season.

Two school records were broken on Saturday. Lexi Young broke the girls' long jump record with a jump of 17-08.25. Peyton Ullery now owns the boys' 1600 meter run record with a time of 4:50.21.

Young also won the girls' 55 meter dash with a time of 7.55 and the girls' high jump, clearing five feet.

Other first place finishes by Mason County athletes include: 

• CJ Arthur, boys' 55 meter dash (6.81)
• Austin Moreland, boys' 400 meter dash (56.93)
• Elizabeth Lavinder, girls' 800 meter run, (2:35.02)
• Carter Sanders, boys' shot put (44-00.75)
• Ava Thompson, girls' pole vault (9-03.00)
• The boys' 4x400 meter relay team (4:01.36)

 Mason County Indoor Meet #4 is scheduled on February 25.

Another sweep for the MasonCounty indoor track and field teams

For the second straight week the Mason County girls' and boys' indoor track and field teams swept the team titles at a Mason County meet.

The Lady Royals finished with 156.5 points. Bishop Brossart was second with 100 points.

The Royals won the boys' meet with 114 points. Simon Kenton was the runner-up with 63 points.

Less than 24 hours after sinking the game-winning free throws in the Lady Royals' win over Scott, freshman Lexi Young won three events: the 55 meter dash (7.51), the high jump (5-04.00) and the long jump (16-06.25)

Other first place finishes by Mason County athletes include:

• The girls' 4x800 meter relay team (11:06.19)
• The boys' 4x400 meter relay team (4:02.16)
• Austin Moreland, boys' 55 meter hurdles (8.90)
• Peyton Ullery, boys' 1600 meter run (5:00.96)
• Avery Sims, girls' 400 meter dash, (1:08.59)
• Layla Henderson, girls' 3000 meter run (11:26.98)
• Reese Hardeman, girls' shot put (27-10.00)
• Ava Thompson, girls' pole vault (9-03.00)
• AJ Barrett, boys' pole vault (12-06.00)

Meet #3 will take place this Saturday at the Mason County Indoor Athletic Complex.

Mason County girls' and boys' sweep first indoor track and field meet

The Mason County girls' and boys' indoor track and field teams swept the first meet of the season at the Mason County Indoor Athletic Complex on Saturday.

The Lady Royals finished with 127 points. St. Ursula Academy was second with 75 points and Dixie Heights took third place with 65 points.

The Royals won with 108.5 points followed by Bishop Brossart (88.5) and Bourbon County (53).

First place finishes by Mason County athletes include:

• Layla Henderson, girls' 1600 meter run (12-06.00)
• Elizabeth Lavinder, girls' 3000 meter run (12:03.26)
• Ava Thompson, girls' pole vault (8-06.00)
• Madison Howard, girls' triple jump (31-02.00)
• The girls' 4x800 meter relay team (11:15.75)
• Peyton Ullery, boys' 800 meter run (2L11.14)
• AJ Barnett, boys' pole vault (12-06.00)
• Kyin Lewis, boys' shot put (43-04.00)
• The boys' 4x800 meter relay team (9:24.76)

Team standings: 

Girls

1. Mason County 127
2. St. Ursula Academy 75
3. Dixie Heights 65
4. Boyd County 41
5. St. Henry 32
T6. Rowan County 31
T6. Bourbon County 31
T8. Tates Creek 18
T8. Boone County 18
10. Bracken County 11
11. Bath County 10
12. Grant County 6
13. Taft 1

Boys

1. Mason County 108.5
2. Bishop Brossart 88.5
3. Bourbon County 53
4. Bellevue 42.5
5. Boyd County 37
6. St. Henry 25
T7. Bath County 18
T7. Harrison County 18
9. Augusta 16
10. Montgomery County 13.5
11. Wheelersburg 12 
12. Bracken County 5 
13. Rowan County 4

The second meet of the season will take place this Saturday.

Decker and Royals are XC region champions, Overly and Royals are runners-up

Mason County senior Paige Decker was the individual champion and she led the Lady Royals to the team title today at the Class AA Region 6 cross country meet at Boyd County. It's the Lady Royals 10th regional team championship in the last 15 years.

In the boys' meet, Mason County sophomore Deshawn Overly was the individual runner-up and he led the Royals to a runner-up finish, their best finish since 2012.

The Lady Royals had 35 points. Boyd County was a distance second with 65 points and Russell was third with 66.

Decker crossed the finish line with a time of 19:02.06.

Layla Henderson was third (20:08.18), Elizabeth Lavinder was seventh (20:46.96), Morgan Carpenter was 12th (21:50.83), Ava Thompson was 13th (21:57.93), Alexis Decker was 22nd (22:47.56) and Hadley Maher was 31st (23:28.78)

Boyd County won the boys' meet with 34 points followed by Mason County with 66 and East Carter with 81.

Overly had a time of 17:24.23.

Peyton Ullery as seventh (17:36.15), Alex Brannon was 16th (18:37.61), Elijah Reed was 19th (19:19.45), Jackson Truesdell was 22nd (19:38.88), Keenan Galloway was 31st (20:32.88) and Casey Magee was 34th (20:46.06).

The Lady Royals and Royals both advance to the state meets next Friday at Bourbon County.

Lady Royals Paige Decker wins Region 6 AA individual XC title leading her team to the title over Boyd Co pic.twitter.com/fTbkbqaBSE

— Mason County XCTF (@MasonCountyXCTF) October 21, 2022

Five Mason County track and field athletes named All-State

The Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association has released its All-State Track and Field Teams.

Five Mason County athletes made the teams in a total of nine events. That is Mason County's largest group in a single season according to coach Mark Kachler.

Here is the list of Mason County athletes named All-State:

First Team All-State

AJ Barrett - pole vault

Lexi Young - high jump

Lexi Young - long jump

2nd Team All-State

Ava Thompson - pole vault

Lexi Young - 100 meter dash

Lexi Young - 200 meter dash

Layla Henderson - 1600 meter run

Layla Henderson - 3200 meter run

Anthony Bozeman - high jump

(Updated to include Anthony Bozeman)