Bourbon boys eyeing a regional championship; Lady Colonels will have a chance
KHSAA Region 4 Track and Field Championship will get underway today at the County
IVAN K. RICE I doctorofsports@aol.com
PARIS, KY – This evening, if the stormy weather can hold off, the 2025 Class 2A Region 4 Track and Field Championship is scheduled to get underway at 5:30 at Bourbon County High School.
HE’S GOT THE “LONG DISTANCE” ON LOCK – Colonel junior Christopher Wells will have a serious shot of winning three gold medals today at the region track and field meet. Wells is scheduled to compete in the 1600m run, the 3200m run, and run a leg on the 4×800 relay.
The 2A meet was originally scheduled for last Friday but had to be postponed because of the dangerous storms that were in the area, which left places like Laurel County and Somerset devastated, the track meet was moved to today.
HERNANDEZ LEAPING TOWARDS ANOTHER TITLE – Lady Colonel senior Ava Hernandez clears this height during last season’s 2A state meet. She will be the favorite today to win the pole vault event and defend her title from a year ago.
The nine teams that will arrive in Paris will be the boys defending champion Covington Catholic, along with the girls defending champion Lexington Catholic. They will be joined by the host Colonels, Franklin County, Harrison County, Covington Holmes, Lloyd Memorial, Pendleton County and Western Hills. Bourbon boys placed second last spring, and the girls finished fourth.
Returning to defend their region titles from a year ago for Coach Drew Perraut’s Colonels are senior Ava Hernandez in the pole vault, junior Jacob Ezell in the 400-meter dash, along with senior Asher Mattox in the 300-meter hurdles. Junior Marleigh Estes, who was recently nursing an injury but will be ready to go from last report, returns as the defending state 2A champion in the 300-meter hurdles, after finishing second at the region meet behind Franklin County’s junior Mariah Jackson, who will be in the field today. Also looking to defend their title will be the boys’ 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams. Both are currently ranked No. 1 heading into the meet.
According to KY Milesplit, weigh-ins (shot & discus) will start at 4:00pm at the track building that’s located near the finish line. The track will open for warmups at 4:45 and close at 5:15. A GoFan link has been posted to Bourbon’s homepage for spectators’ tickets. No electronics are allowed on the infield by athletes, which will be strictly enforced. Results will be posted to Milesplit, however, athletes qualifying for state, outside of 1st or 2nd will be identified by the KHSAA once the last regional has completed.
LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT RESULT – Lady Colonel junior Marleigh Estes crossed the finish line with a smile after winning last season’s 2A state 300-meter hurdles event. Today, she’s looking to win a region title, after placing second in the event last spring at the Region 4 Championship.
Heading into the Region 4 Championship, Bourbon will have several individuals that could leave the meet as a region champion. Colonels and Lady Colonels having a serious shot at a gold medal will be junior Christopher Wells (1600m & 3200m run), freshman Da’Zaian Champagne (110m hurdles), Asher Mattox (300m hurdles), Marleigh Estes (300m hurdles & high jump), Ava Hernandez (pole vault), junior Jacob Ezell (400m dash), senior Jesus Mendoza-solis (800m run), junior Addison Felty (400m dash), senior Braden Goebel (pole vault), Rebekah Stewart (high jump), boys’ 4×200, 4×400, and 4×800 relays, while the girls will have a chance in the 4×400 relay.
“We are ready. We’ve done everything possible to prepare – together. Now it’s time to relax, trust your training, and let your muscle memory and focus take over,” Coach Perraut said to his team. “Our goal is clear: win region and get to state. I believe with everything in me that this is the team to do it!”
SPEED KILLS – Colonel junior Jacob Ezell, who had an outstanding season on the football field, will be trying to repeat his region win from a year ago in the 400-meter dash. He is also expected to run a leg on the favorite 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams.
The Coach went on to say that he feels as if this is the most prepared team he’s ever coached. “They’ve been tested all season long, pushed to their limits, and every single time, they’ve answered the call. Now it’s time to do it one more time.”
When one looks at KY Milesplit’s entry rosters, below is Bourbon County’s unofficial list of individuals that will compete at the regional this evening during their respective events. This lineup, however, could change before the track meet starts. Unlike all-comers track meets during the regular season, at regionals, there can be only two participants in each individual event per school and one relay team per school, per relay event.
The top two individuals and relay teams in each event will automatically advance to next week’s state 2A meet that will be held at the University of Kentucky’s Track and Field Complex. Others that do not finish in the top two can still make state on time or performance, because 10 at-large bids will be given out in each event.
****
–BOURBON COUNTY COLONELS–
4×800 relay – Bourbon County
110m hurdles – Da’Zarian Champagne, Asher Mattox
100m dash – Champagne, Tanner Lutz
4×200 relay – Bourbon County
1600m run – Christoper Wells, Grant Perraut
JUMPING HURDLES – Colonel senior Asher Mattox is no doubt one of the best hurdles in the state after finishing second at the 2A state meet last spring, while also competing in the 100 high hurdles. Look for him to make a return trip back to state in both events. The young man has also run a sub 50 in the 400m dash.
400m dash – Jacob Ezell, Myles Heilig
4x100m relay – Bourbon County
300m hurdles – Asher Mattox, Mark Perraut
800m run – Jesus Mendoza-solis, Kenneth Salas
200m dash – Heilig, Ezell
3200m run – Wells, G. Perraut
4×400 relay – Bourbon County
Discus Throw – Kaream Davis, Skyler Lukitsh
Shot Put – Davis, Carter Massie
Long Jump – Heilig, Quinton Rice
Triple Jump – Aaien Casey, Carson Perraut
High Jump – Rice, C. Perraut
Pole Vault – Braden Goebel, M. Perraut
****
–BOURBON COUNTY LADY COLONELS–
4×800 relay – Bourbon County
100m hurdles – Marleigh Estes, Paisley Hutchison
100m dash – Ava Hernandez, Lexi Herrington
4×200 relay – Bourbon County
1600m run – Macey McKinzie, Ruby DeAtley
4×100 relay – Bourbon County
400m dash – Addison Felty, Kiera Lumley
300m hurdles – Estes, Hutchison
800m run – Makenna Hunter, Myla Wilson
200m dash – Hernadez, Lumley
3200m run – McKinzie, DeAtley
4x400m relay – Bourbon County
YES, HARD WORK DOES PAY OFF – In just a year’s time, Colonel junior Addison Felty has improved her speed so much that today she’ll come into the region meet as one of the favorites to win the 400-meter dash.
Discus Throw – Carter Conley, Desirae Kitts
Shot Put – Conley, Kitts
Long Jump – Hernandez, Herrington
Triple Jump – Herrington, Stewart
High Jump – Estes, Rebekah Stewart
Pole Vault – Hernandez, Regan Berry
****
–UNIFIED TEAM–
2×200 mixed relay – Bourbon County
2×50 relay – Bourbon County A, Bourbon County B
4×100 relay – Bourbon County
Mixed Long Jump – Johnny Stewart
Mixed Shot Put – Stewart
****
The coach concluded by saying this to his team.
SAVING HIS BEST FOR LAST – Not only will senior Jesus Mendoza-solis be one of the favorites in the 800m run, Mendoza-solis will also be a key member on Bourbon’s 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams that are also hoping to win region titles.
“This is your moment. I believe in you – enough for all of us. You have what it takes. I’m incredibly proud of every one of you. Remember, the reward is in the process. You’ve grown, you’ve earned this, and you’re better for it. Let’s be the last team standing. Let’s fight for every point, especially the last two. And never forget, it’s not over until it’s over. No distractions. Never quit. Let’s go get it!
You can purchase your tickets at this link …. KHSAA Track & Field 2A Region 4 Meet – Track and Field – May 21, 2025
