Lexi Young verbally committs to Indiana University

Mason County senior track and field star Lexi Young has verbally committed to Indiana University.

Young has won several state championships and All-State honors in the high jump, long jump and triple jump, and holds numerous school records.

She is also a member of the Mason County Lady Royals basketball team.

November 12 is the first day of the official signing period.

Mason County Lady Royal Lexi Young has verbally accepted a scholarship offer to continue her Track & Field career at Indiana University. CONGRATS LEXI !!!#togetherwewin pic.twitter.com/nwlpNLSpco

— Mason County XCTF (@MasonCountyXCTF) October 20, 2025

Travis Yazell named head coach of Mason County track and field teams

Mason County assistant track and field coach Travis Yazell has been promoted to head coach.

Yazell succeeds Mark Kachler who resigned last month after serving as the head coach since 2004.

Yazell joined the Mason County coaching staff last season after serving as the head coach at Nicholas County for several seasons.

In an email to the parents, Kachler wrote that he assisted in the search for the new coach, and he plans to remain in a "mentorship role" to Coach Yazell.

🚨 MCHS Athletics is excited to welcome Travis Yazell as the new Head Track Coach! 🏃‍♂️💨

Travis coached track at Nicholas Co. before joining us last year as assistant under Coach Kachler. We’re ready to continue our winning tradition with Coach Yazell leading the way! #GoRoyals pic.twitter.com/DI8PPGHOZm

— Mason Co. Athletics (@RoyalsAth1etics) July 17, 2025

NFHS approves rules changes for softball and track and field

The National Federation of State High School Associations has approved rules changes for softball and track and field for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Here are the links to the press releases:

Softball

Track and field

Mason County track and field coach Mark Kachler announces his retirement

Mason Couny track and field coach Mark Kachler has announced his retirement.

Here is the news release from the Mason County High School Athletic Department:

Maysville Ky— Longtime Boys and Girls Track and Field Coach, Mark Kachler, has announced his retirement from coaching.  Coach Kachler

informed the students, parents and school administration of his intention yesterday.  Coach K’s long and decorated career began in

2000 when he took over the Boys and Girls Cross Country programs at Mason County High School.  During his tenure, a Mason

County High School female would win the individual region championship seven times and his teams would accumulate ten region

championships. At the state level his Cross Country teams finished fourth place or higher six times.  These six podium finishes

included a run from 2018 through 2022 where Mason County would finish on the podium five consecutive years at the KHSAA

State Championships. Coach Kachler coached ten state meet medalists and thirty-one all state cross country athletes. In 2014-15

he was named a national finalist for the Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year.  He would remain as head coach for twenty three

seasons, resigning in 2022 from leading our cross country teams.In 2004 Coach Kachler began leading both the boys and girls track teams at Mason County.  The numerous accolades of his

track athletes and teams include the following: 15 Regional Team Championships (12 female, 3 male), 104 Individual Champions,

52 Regional Relay Champions, 4 Indoor State Team Championships, 12 Indoor State Team Runners-Up, 22 Indoor State Individual

Champions and 12, Indoor State Relay Champions, 3 Outdoor State Top 4 Team Finishes, 9 Outdoor State Individual Champions,

2 Outdoor State Relay Champions and 116 All State Award Winners.  In 2019-2020 Coach Kachler was named the Kentucky Girls

Track and Field Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High Schools. On behalf of the Mason County High School Athletic Department and School Administration we would like to extend a huge

thanks to Coach Kachler for all of his time and effort leading the Royals to be one of the most respected Cross County and Track &

Field programs in the state.  Coach K, congratulations on your retirement!The Mason County Athletic Department will begin a search for a new Track and Field Head Coach,  immediately.  All interested

applicants should send a resume and cover letter to Chris O’Hearn at Chris.Ohearn@mason.kyschools.us and bryan.gregory@mason.kyschools.us

Halle Pfeffer places eighth in Turbo Javelin Kentucky Championship

Mason County rising senior Halle Pfeffer placed eighth in the Turbo Javelin Kentucky Championship on Saturday at Bishop Brossart.

The top 24 male and female Turbo Javelin throwers in Kentucky were invited to the event. There were three throws with the top nine girls and boys qualifying for the finals.

The winners received a trophy. Places second through eighth received a medal.

Mason Co Lady Royal Halle Pfeffer placed 8th today in the KY Turbo Javelin competition.
The top 24 javelin throwers in the state were invited to compete. pic.twitter.com/DUxGNJDUrl

— Mason County XCTF (@MasonCountyXCTF) June 7, 2025

Seven Mason County track and field athletes receive All-State recognition

Seven Mason County track and field athletes have received All-State recognition from the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association based on their state meet performances.

Lexi Young (high jump, long jump and triple jump) and Ava Thompson (pole vault) were named First Team All-State.

Young (100 meter dash), Sarah Payne (pole vault and 400 meter dash) and the girls' 4x100 meter relay team of Amirah Reed, Haven Hamilton, Adrienne Downs-Perry and Madison Howard were named Second Team All-State.

Highlights from Mason County indoor and outdoor track and field seasons

Mason County track and field coach Mark Kachler has compiled a list of the teams' accomplishments during the indoor and outdoor seasons.

Here are a few of the highlights:

• The Lady Royals finished third and the Royals fourth at the indoor state championships.

• Ava Thompson (pole vault) and Trazon Lang (high jump) won individual indoor state championships.

• The Lady Royals won the outdoor region championship for the sixth straight time and the 12th time in program history, and the Royals were region runners-up.

• The Lady Royals finished third at the outdoor championships and Lexi Young (triple jump and high jump) and Ava Thompson (pole vault) won individual outdoor state championships.

• During the indoor and outdoor seasons, Mason County athletes set 27 school records, either as individuals or relay teams—18 by the girls and nine by the boys.

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

Mason County will compete in the Class 2A state championships on Friday

The Mason County girls' and boys' teams will compete in the Clark's Pump-n-Shop Class 2A State Track and Field Championships on Friday at the University of Kentucky.

Gates open for spectators at 8 a.m. The first event is scheduled at 9 a.m.

All tickets will be sold online via GoFan. There will be no cash ticket sales at the gate.

Here is a link to the Class 2A performance listings.

Here is a link to the lane assignments.

Two Mason County outdoor track and field records broken at region meet

Two Mason County outdoor track and field records were broken at the region meet on Monday.

With a time of 16:20, Amirah Reed broke the 100 meter hurdles school record that was set in 1994.

The 4x100 meter relay team of Reed, Haven Hamilton, Adrienne Downs-Perry and Madison Howard set a new school record with a time of 50.14.

Lady Royals region track and field champions, Royals are region runners-up

The Mason County Lady Royals track and field team won the Class 2A Region 6 championship for the fifth straight year on Monday. The Royals had a runner-up finish.

The Lady Royals amassed 199 points. Russell was a distant second with 91 points.

Russell won the boys' meet with 133 points. Mason County finished with 128 points.

Individual and relay region championships won by Mason County athletes include:

• Lexi Young, girls' triple jump (38-3.50) and girls' high jump (5-4)

• Deshawn Overly, boys' 1600 meter run (4:30.73) and boys' 3200 meter run (10:21.69)

• Amirah Reed, girls' 100 meter hurdles (16:20)

• Reese Hardeman, girls' shot put (31-5.25)

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

• The boys' 4x800 meter relay team (8:35.13)

• The girls' 4x100 meter relay team (50:14)

• The girls' 4x400 meter relay team (4:19.08)

Here is a link to the complete results on https://ky.milesplit.com

Mason Co Lady Royals dominate the KHSAA Region 6 AA Championship tonight more than doubling the second place team score. It is their 12th Regional Title and the 5th in a row. pic.twitter.com/bhxzCAoc1d

— Mason County XCTF (@MasonCountyXCTF) May 20, 2025

Mason Co Royals fall 5 points short of the Regional Championship tonight at the KHSAA Region 6 Track and Field Championship finishing 2nd. Very proud of our guys. They left it all on the track tonight. pic.twitter.com/pa908YXdRl

— Mason County XCTF (@MasonCountyXCTF) May 20, 2025

Lady Royals are No. 2 in KYtrackXC.com Top 25

The Mason County Lady Royals track and field team is ranked No. 2 in the KYtrackXC.com Class 2A Top 25. 

Rankings are based on results in the website's database as of May 14.

Calloway County, the indoor state champion, is No. 1, and Lexington Catholic, indoor state runner-up, is No. 3.

A shorthanded Mason County team finished third at the indoor state meet.

The Class 2A Region 6 meet is scheduled on Monday at Rowan County.

Lady Royals 2nd, Royals 3rd at Bryan Station-Woodall Invitational

In their final track and field meets of the regular season, the Mason County Lady Royals were the runners-up and the Royals finished in third place at the Bryan Station-Woodall Invitational on Saturday.

Frederick Douglass swept the girls' and boys' meets. The Lady Royals were 19 and a half points back while the Royals finished 28 points behind Frederick Douglass and only six and a half points behind Madison Central.

Lexi Young won the girls' high jump (5-6) and the girls' long jump (18-9.5), Ava Thompson won the girls' pole vault (12-0) and Deshawn Overly won the boys' 1600 meter run (40:30.75) and the boys' 3200 meter run (10:03.1).

The region meet is scheduled on Monday, May 19 at 5 p.m. at Rowan County.

Mason County track and field teams sweep Buffalo Trace Conference Championships

The Mason County girls' and boys' track and field teams swept the Buffalo Trace Conference Championships on Tuesday at their home facility.

The Lady Royals finished with 195 points. Fleming County was second (139) and Bracken County and Mason County Middle School tied for third place (74).

In the boys' meet, Mason County led the way with 178 points. Bracken County Middle School was second (172) and Fleming County was third (148.50).

First-place finishes by Mason County High School athletes include:

• Amirah Reed, girls' 100 meter hurdles (17.23)
• Ava Caskey, girls' 400 meter dash (1:07.70)
• Haven Hamilton, girls' 300 meter hurdles (54.54)
• Kolby Galloway, girls' 800 meter run (2:40.37)
• Adrienne Downs-Perry, girls' high jump (4-04.00)
• Trazon Lang, boys' high jump (6-00.00)
• Ava Thompson, girls' pole vault (11-06.00)
• Keenan Galloway, boys' pole vault (12-00.00)
• Lexi Young, girls' long jump (18-04.50) and girls' triple jump (34.04.25)
• Ashayne Jones, boys' discus throw (116-08) and boys' shot put (43-04. 00)
• The Mason County "C" mixed 2x50 meter relay team (16.10)

Mason County will close out the regular season on Saturday at the Bryan Station-Woodhall Invitational.

Lady Royals win Area 7 Championship, Royals were runners-up

The Mason County Lady Royals track and field team won the Area 7 Championship in dominating fashion and the Royals were runners-up on Saturday at Rowan County.

The Lady Royals accumulated 222 points. Russell was second with 98 points.

The Russell Red Devils won the boys' championship with 144 points. The Royals finished second with 101 points.

First place finishes by Mason County athletes include:

• Kolby Galloway, girls' 800 meter run (2:36.52)

• Lexi Young, girls' high jump (5-04.00) and girls' high jump (19-05.00)

• Sarah Payne, girls' pole vault (10-06.00)

• The girls' 4x800 meter relay team of Kolby Galloway, Hailey Henderson, Ava Winter and Brooklyn Young (11:01.34)

• The boys' 4x800 meter relay team of Ed Brannon, Marquise Kirk, Elijah Reed and Dashawn Overly (8:43.40)

• The girls' 4x200 meter relay team of Amirah Reed, Cece Hiatt, Ava Caskey and Sarah Payne (1:53.56)

• The girls' 4x100 meter relay team of Amirah Reed, Adrienne Downs-Perry, Madison Howard and Haven Hamilton ((52.13)

• The boys' 4x100 meter relay team of CJ Arthur, Trazon Lang, Kyson Fox and Hollis Chisley (45.71)

• The girls' 4x400 meter relay team of Ava Caskey, Sarah Payne, Kolby Galloway and Cece Hiatt (4:27.42)

• The boys' 4x400 meter relay team of Ed Brannon, Marquise Kirk, Elijah Reed and Caden Poe (3:50.08)

Mason County will compete in the Bishop Brossart Gold Medal Meet on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Howard, Young and Metts signs with Thomas More University

Mason County senior Madison Howard, Brooklyn Young and Nazir Metts signed on Monday to continue their academic and track and field careers at Thomas More University.

Howard was named All-State in the long jump after a third place finish at the outdoor state championships last year. She was the region champion in the triple jump last year and also excels in the 100 meter dash and is a member of the the 4x100 meter and 4x200 meter relay teams. Howard participated in the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program last summer.

Young    the 4x400 and 4x800  relay teams, the 800 meter sprint medley team and the cross country team.

Metts finished eighth in the high jump at the indoor state championships last month. He also competes in the long jump and 200 meter dash and played football and basketball.

Lady Royals first, Royals third at Harrison County Invitational

The Mason County girls' track and field team won the Harrison County Invitational in convincing fashion and the boys' team took third place on Saturday.

The Lady Royals finished with 188 points. Mercer County was a distant second with 101 points.

Mercer County won the boys' meet with 142 points. Mason County had 81 points.

First place finishes by Mason County athletes include:

• Lexi Young, girls' 100 meter dash (12.69), girls' high jump (5-04.00) and girls' long jump (19-05.00)

• Trazon Lang, boys' high jump (5-10.00)

• Kolby Galloway, girls' 1600 meter run (6:00.29) and girls' 3200 meter run (13:36.97)

• Ava Thompson, girls' pole vault (12-00.00)

• Deshaun Overly, boys' 1600 meter run (4:34.63)

• The girls' 4x100 meter relay team of Haven Hamilton, Madison Howard, Adrienne Downs-Perry and Amirah Reed (51:07)

• The girls' 4x400 meter relay team of Brooklyn Young, Lexi Young, Cece Hiatt and Ava Caskey (4:33.94)

The Area 7 Championships are this Saturday at Rowan County.

Lady Royals second, Royals seventh at AJ's Heart of the Bluegrass track and field meet

The Mason County Lady Royals took second place and the Royals finished in seventh place at AJ's Heart of the Bluegrass track and field meet in Harrodsburg on Saturday.

Lexi Young won the High Point Award. She won the long jump (17-09.25) and high jump (5-08.00) and was second in the 100 meter dash (12.73) and fifth in the 200 meter dash (26.42).

Dashawn Overly won the 3200 meter run (9:47.54).

"It was an excellent performance by both the girls and boys teams today," coach Mark Kachler wrote in an email message. "This is one of the largest and most talented meets held in KY each year."

Mason County will compete in the Harrison County Invitational this Saturday.

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.

Lady Royals take first place, the Royals finish second at the Bourbon County Medley Relays

The Mason County Lady Royals took first place and the Royals finished in second place at the Bourbon County Medley Relays on Friday.

Lexi Young won the girls' long jump (18-2.50) and Trazon Lang won the boys' high jump (6-00.00). 

Mason County relay teams taking first place included the boys' 2800 meter distance medley relay, the girls' 1200 meter sprint medley relay, the boys' 4x100 meter thrower's relay and the girls' 800 meter sprint medley relay.

The Lady Royals and Royals will compete in the Oak Ridge Invitational in Tennessee on Friday and Saturday.