Owensboro has long been a self-proclaimed “sports city.”
Sports Illustrated concurred and named Owensboro the best city in Kentucky for sporting opportunities. We have world-class facilities, second to none, and more on the way.
We have Hall of Fame coaches and former pro athletes mentoring the next generation of student-athletes. Several players in an array of professional leagues right now have connections to Owensboro. We’re a farm town, in more ways than one.
We produce playoff football teams, perennial contenders for the state basketball titles, baseball and softball teams feared across the region, and soccer programs that have produced more than one professional. Volleyball teams travel hours to compete here.
That’s all well and good. We should definitely celebrate that.
But it’s high time we recognize Owensboro for the competitive dance dynamo it has become.
A few weeks ago, local kids and coaches took over Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, for the 2025 NDA National Championships. Competing against the best Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, New York, Illinois, Colorado, and more had to send — Owensboro proved itself to be a powerhouse at the event.
The list below is not exhaustive, it’s only the teams I know about. I’m told local cheerleading teams had an equally impressive showing the week before at the UCA Championships.
– Apollo High School – Small Intermediate Hip Hop, National Runner Up
– Daviess County High School – Medium Varsity Hip Hop, National Runner Up; Medium Varsity Game Day, Top 5
– College View Middle School – Jr. High/Middle School Game Day, National Runner Up; Jr. High/Middle School Hip Hop, Top 3
At the state level, Owensboro teams dominate as well. All of the teams below placed high enough in district and regional competitions to receive an invite to state championship events, with many bringing home even more hardware.
– Apollo High School – KDCO Game Day State Champions
– Daviess County High School – KHSAA Hip Hop, Top 3; KHSAA Game Day, Top 5
– Owensboro Catholic High School – KDCO Hip Hop State Champions; Game Day Runner Up; KDCO High School Grand Champions
– Burns Middle School
– College View Middle School – KDCO Game Day State Champions (2x, back-to-back), Hip Hop State Champions (3x, back-to-back-to-back)
– Daviess County Middle School
– Owensboro Catholic Middle School
Let’s give credit where it is due. These athletes are phenomenal, their coaches incredible, and their parents deservedly proud.
Owensboro is a sports city, no doubt. Local gyms may soon run out of room to hang banners.
Written by
Brandon Cox
