The 2025 track and field season launched last week, with local teams entering the year with a mix of championship aspirations, rebuilding rosters, and breakout potential. From traditional powerhouses to emerging squads looking to make history, here’s a breakdown of what to expect this spring.
Apollo
The Eagles are coming off a strong 2024 campaign that saw the boys finish third in the region and 18 athletes qualify for state. The girls battled through a wave of injuries but remained competitive thanks to a “next person up” mentality.
Apollo head coach Kris Crawford credits the team’s success to its experienced coaching staff.
“We are very lucky to have such a diversified group of coaches,” Crawford said. “I am blessed to have the coaching staff that we have. A lot of them are event specific so that helps our kids. High jump. Long jump. Sprinter. Long distance. Throws. We have good coaches in those positions and that helps our athletes transition to compete well.”
The team graduated a large senior class but returns several leaders: Emmitt Brock, Madden Rhoads, Caiden Tutt, DeQuavion Caldwell, Demetrius Holloway, Anslee Roberson, Shelby Wright, Emily Lee, Ava Falloway, and Karissa Ralph.
“We have a group of young kids that are freshmen this year that are very talented and are going to help us a lot,” Crawford said.
With hopes of sending even more athletes to state this year, Apollo is sticking to its core values.
“One is to be a good student and have good character,” Crawford said. “The second is to be a good teammate. Third is to be on time ready to listen and learn. Four is to compete. Five is to have fun.”
Daviess County
Bob O’Brien, now at the helm after retiring from Owensboro, is leading a young but motivated team. The girls placed fourth in regionals last season, while the boys finished sixth.
“It’s hard work. I have a goal for them, but they still have to do it,” O’Brien said. “I want them to work hard, try and achieve their goal, and go after it. If you are trying hard, working, and are focused on what you do, you have a better chance of getting it.”
With a roster full of freshmen, it’s the youngest group O’Brien has ever coached. For the girls, Lucy Spaw, Bentlei Stallings, Ellie Girten, Blakely Greer, and Rebekah Moran are back after strong regional showings. Austin Spurrier (freshman) and Logan Higdon (junior) are key names for the boys.
“I think the harder you work and the more you focus on what you want to do while trying to achieve goals is what I really want to get out of these kids,” O’Brien said. “Some of these kids have never thought about running in college… I want to make that a reality.”
Hancock County
The Hornets finished fourth in region last year, and the boys’ team has grown in numbers for 2025, allowing athletes to focus on their best events. Returners Emmitt Meserve, Cooper Jones, Wyatt Emmick, and Christian Yanez are joined by newcomer Camden Harper, and they’ve set their sights on a top-two finish in one of the state’s toughest regions.
On the girls’ side, Izzy Ross and Carolina Jones return as leaders, while seventh grader Ellen Meserve has been turning heads during indoor season.
“We are such a small girls’ team this year so we will focus on the individuals and send as many to state as possible,” Meserve said.
McLean County
For the first time in nearly two decades, McLean County didn’t send an athlete to the state meet in 2024 — but they’re determined to change that. With most of last year’s roster returning and only a few seniors lost, the Cougars are relying on growth from within.
Aden Bolden and Cam Walters are expected to lead the boys, while Regan Brown returns as a top thrower on the girls’ side.
“We now have a rubberized facility for the first time in the history of McLean County track and field,” head coach Gary Morris said. “I am forever thankful to them for putting in the money… This will be the first time that a regional in track and field will be hosted at the high school.”
Owensboro
Despite being hit hard by injuries in 2024, the Red Devils still qualified two athletes for state. This year, they’re in the middle of a youth movement, replacing six seniors with a promising group of middle schoolers.
“I am looking for these guys to compete, have fun, and believe that they can do what they are trained to do, and I believe we have some guys that can do that,” boys’ coach Drew Hall said.
Kaden McKnight returns after competing in the 110 hurdles at state, while pole vaulter Ace Skimehorn is targeting 12-13 feet. Young talent like Kingston Dillard (100m, relays) and Drew Johnson (shot put) bring depth and energy.
“We have a lot of pieces,” Hall said. “We just need to make sure we can get those pieces filled, work from there, and go from there.”
The goal is clear.
“It is going to be tough because we have some good athletes in the area,” Hall said. “Our first goal is to always win city-county… It is going to be really tough, but if our guys can compete, you never know what can happen.”
For the girls’ team, the Lady Devils finished third in region and return a deep, experienced group including Ava Fincher (state qualifier in long jump), Lilah Stanley (reigning 300 hurdles champ), and freshman Nakiyah Voyles, who’s already reached state twice.
“We have girls all over the team that are key returners and are going to give us firepower on the track and in different events,” head coach Byron Morris said. “It is hard just to say key returners when you have this many girls… All of them have been key because if we are going to win the region or compete at the state level it will take the entire team.”
“Expectation wise this team sets their own expectations… The expectation is to go and have a solid season, take care of business, and make sure to make it to May healthy and ready to roll.”
Owensboro Catholic
The Lady Aces took second in the region last year and bring back a young but rising group. Distance runners Peyton Reid, Ainsley Sutter, Scarlett Isenbarger, and Caroline Wathen are looking to build on postseason success. Sprinters Isabeth Osborne, Kate Denton, and Claire Cecil are also expected to take big steps.
For the boys, sprinters Cam Woodward, Xavier Maddox, Russ Boarman, and Noah O’Nan return, with Woodward and O’Nan also competing in the jumps. Ben Booker leads the distance group after qualifying for state last year.
“My expectations are for us to continue our improvement from last year,” head coach Chris Morris said.
Trinity (Whitesville)
Now in just its second year, Trinity’s program is showing signs of major growth. After fielding just nine athletes last season, the Raiders now boast a roster of 25 — including 13 middle schoolers.
Seniors Blaise Barnett and Braxton Hamilton return as leaders, and sophomore Jayda Meserve, a transfer whom head coach Christina Hawkins coached in middle school, adds experience.
“I hope they enjoy it enough to keep coming back,” Hawkins said. “My goals are for each athlete to enjoy the sport and find events that are comfortable with and competitive in… I am always looking for each athlete to improve over the course of the season.”
