Fairness in high school sports is discussed are length. But how fair are they really? Gary Fogle talks about the dominance that some high schools in Kentucky have experienced in the past few years, especially in basketball and football.
Boyle County High School certainly stands out in the football world, having won four consecutive state championships. If their success continues this fall and they gain a fifth championship, they will set a new record for high school football. Previously the record was held by Fort Thomas Highlands and Beechwood High School, who both won four championships consecutively.
Looking at girls’ basketball, Sacred Heart Academy out of Louisville currently holds the record for four consecutive state championships, which they achieved last year. This record stands for both boys and girls. Sacred Heart also won three girls’ state basketball titles in the early 2000s, and in the late seventies, Laurel County High School girls’ basketball also won three consecutive titles (1977, 1978, 1979). For boys’ high school basketball in Kentucky, only one team has won three consecutive titles. That record goes to Henry Clay High School back in 1918, 1919, and 1920. That is the only boys’ basketball team that has won three consecutive state titles.
Union County High School has dominated the wrestling mat the past few years. They have won eight of the nine past boys’ state wrestling championships. Robert Irvin, the longtime head coach for Union County wrestling, talked about why he thinks they dominate. He mentioned that their culture is strong, and the athletes are dedicated to the sport, even training hard in the off season. Irvin also discussed how the energy in their program is contagious. They have a phenomenal coaching staff who set high goals and work hard with the athletes to achieve them.
Paducah Tillman High School has shown their dominance with boys’ track, winning nine out of the ten past state titles, with a seven-year win streak during that time. Randy Wyatt has been the coach there for more than 25 years but was once an athlete himself for the Paducah track team. Wyatt joined the team as an 8th grader, and won three events, the 100 meters, the 200 meters, and part of the four by 100 meters relay team. He won a state title in three different events as an 8th grader. Wyatt discussed how the upperclassmen supported him and pushed him to get better which contributed him to his success. Unfortunately, his cousin, who was an All American at Paducah Tillman, was involved in a motorcycle accident Wyatt’s senior year and passed away. Wyatt didn’t compete his senior year, because his cousin was the reason he competed in the first place. He lost the love for it and didn’t want to continue.
St. Xavier High School in Louisville has dominated the swimming pool since 1989. They have won the boys’ state championship 36 years in a row. Todd Larkin, an alumnus from St. Xavier, talked about how he competed in the early nineties to begin the dominant streak. Larkin commented on how many of the athletes have gone on to swim in college at all levels, and some have gone on to qualify for the Olympic trials.
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