KHSAA State Bowling Champion Wesley Yazell Is Named The Doctor’s Top Sports Story/Athlete Of The Year In Paris And Bourbon County
GREAT YEAR FOR BOURBON BOWLING – Members of the 2019-2020 Bourbon County Bowling Team participated in the KHSAA State Tournament back in February. It was the first trip to state for the Lady Colonels, while the Colonels made their third trip in four years to state. Pictured from left to right are eighth grader Cole Knore, junior Morghyn Earlywine, Coach David Hooper, junior Allie Snapp, eighth grader Matthew Yazell, eighth grader Meredith Fryman, eighth grader Logan Hooper (kneeling), junior Wesley Yazell, senior Kayla Horn, junior Angie Snapp, sophomore Deven Hooper, Coach Johnny Yazell, senior Maggie Belcher and freshman Garrett Fryman. WARREN TAYLOR I Citizen Staff
Yazell Beat Out Paris’ Taesha Speaks
Who Missed Most Of Her Track Season
IVAN K. RICE I doctorofsports@aol.com
PARIS, KY. – Let’s be honest. Obviously, the Coronavirus Pandemic that is known as COVID-19, was and still is, easily the top story of the year in 2019-2020, after it stopped the KHSAA State Basketball Tournament, as well as spring sports, leaving several teams and individuals from this area missing a chance at winning the Top Sports Story/Person of the Year.
Because of COVID-19, several teams that would’ve certainly been among the top 12 aren’t shown because they never got the chance to compete. Those teams were the Lady Colonels Softball Team, Paris Ladyhounds Track Team, Lady Colonels Track Team and Bourbon’s Baseball and Bass Fishing Team. As far as individuals that do appear (either the top 12 or honorable mention) but could’ve been much higher are Kaylyn Barnett, Brycen Collins,
BEST IN THE STATE – KHSAA State High School Bowling Champion, Bourbon County’s Wesley Yazell. He’s pictured with KHSAA Board Minority Representative Bonnie Barnes and Pete Galloway, Board of Control President. WARREN TAYLOR I Citizen Staff
Bethany Simpson and last season’s Top Sports Story winner Taesha Speaks, who was on pace of doing something extremely special on the outdoor track before things had to shut down.
With that being said, when looking back at the short sports year for our local schools (Paris, Bourbon County and BCA, or anyone with ties to those schools) when it was all said and done, only one could prevail and Bourbon County junior bowler Wesley Yazell stood taller than the rest and that’s the reason why the Doctor of Sports choose Yazell as the Top Sports Story/Person of the Year. Yes, others were worthy but when one can label you as the best in the entire state, it’s a prestigious accomplishment that needs to be taken very seriously!
Yazell stunned the field to win the 2020 KHSAA State Singles Bowling Title that was held at the Executive Strike & Spare in Louisville. His previous two trips at state saw an early exit but this time around, the big-time bowler would be there for the long haul and it showed after he electrified the crowd by missing a perfect game by one pin that moved him into the top seed of the stepladder.
He started his day by bowling a 693 series (236, 247, 210) in the opening round that was good enough for fourth place heading into the elite eight. While there, he vaulted to the top after bowling the 299 that gave him an automatic bid into the championship game. Yazell met McCracken County’s Elliott Wilson for the title and
SPEAKS WAS ON PACE TO BREAKING LONG STANDING STATE RECORDS – This past spring season should’ve been one to remember for Paris Ladyhound sophomore sprinter Taesha Speaks. After a remarkably indoor season that saw her complete the season as the second fastest sprinter in the entire state (regardless of class), Speaks capped off her indoor season by qualifying to the prestigious New Balance Indoor Championship. Yes, Speaks was well on her way to breaking the state 1A outdoor record in the 100 meter dash that has stood for 40 years, and the 200 meter dash, which was set in 2007. She was the defending region and state champion in both events. JENNIFER ARNETT I For PHS Athletics
once he calmed his nerves and settled down, Yazell did his thing by knocking off Wilson 228-211 to win the biggest bowling prize for a high school bowler in Kentucky, a state title.
It’s not every day one can say they are a state champion but on February 6th, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky, Wesley Yazell added his name among the “elite athletes” in the City of Paris and County of Bourbon, knowing that he is now part of a “fraternity of state champions” from this area.
“To win a state championship for me and my school is an amazing feeling,” said Yazell, who also won the Region 7 Championship as well as the Region’s Bowler of the Year. “I am very happy I was able to represent Bo
TWO SPORTS STAR – Bourbon County Colonel senior Amirion “AJ” Joyce was a Mr. Basketball Candidate and he also broke a few school-records on the football field while playing for the Colonels. KRISTA BARNETT I For BCHS Sports
urbon County!”
Wesley’s Coach Johnny Yazell, who just happens to be his Dad, had this to say about his son winning the state title.
“I just love the passion Wesley has for the game. His drive is unmatched. Watching him achieve his dream of a state title gives me a sense of pride and a feeling I will never forget because I know how hard he worked to improve his game and how determined he was to reach his goal of a state championship.”
Coming in second was Paris Track star Taesha Speaks, who finished off a phenomenal indoor season that saw her qualify to the National Indoor New Balance Championship, while being ranked as the No.2 sprinter in the state of Kentucky.
When asked about not competing at the New Balance Nationals and missing out on her outdoor season, Speaks responded by saying, “God has a plan for everything, so I just have to stay faithful and continue trusting him, and what he is doing.”
—THE TOP 12—
1) Wesley Zazell (Bourbon County Bowler)
(KHSAA State Champion)
2) Taesha Speaks (Paris Track)
(National Indoor Qualifier And State Champion)
3) Bourbon County Lady Colonels Volleyball
(District Champs, Region Semifinalist)
4) Bourbon County Colonels Basketball
(Kentucky 2A State Runner-up)
5) Bourbon County Lady Colonels Bowling
(First Appearance At State)
6) Bourbon County Lady Colonels Basketball
(Kentucky 2A Section 5 Runner-up; 10th Region Semifinalist)
7) Paris Ladyhounds Basketball
(Most Wins In The 10th Region)
8) Amirion “AJ” Joyce
(Colonel Football/Basketball Star)
9) Paris Ladyhounds Soccer
(Best Soccer Season In 12 Years)
10) Bourbon County Colonels Bowling Team
(Region 7 Champion)
11) Kaylyn Barnett (Softball)
(10th Region Top Player)
12) Aaron Speaks (Basketball)
(Won Two Coach Of The Year Awards)
EDITOR’S NOTE: To see the entire story and the honorable mention selections, make sure you pick up a copy of today’s (07-23-2020) Bourbon County Citizen newspaper.
