Whenever you have a team or individual that wins a state championship in any sport, it should be cause for celebration.
The area had both this track season with the Fort Knox Eagles capturing the Class 1-A state title. The team was led by senior Malik Blunt, who won three state championships in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter events.
The Eagles finished with 71 points to win the title by 14 points over Walton-Verona at the University of Kentucky Track and Field Complex in Lexington.
Blunt was outstanding as he defended his 100 and 200 championships, but he was not alone.
Teammate Tristin Griffin was second in the 400 and third in the 100 and 200 to help the Eagles pile up points.
The 4×400-meter relay team also grabbed third.
There were several other strong efforts in track and field as North Hardin’s Ethan Rice won the discus as North finished fifth in Class 3-A.
Trojans’ Shaun Boykins placed third in the 100-meter dash, while Devin Sealey was third in the high jump. Elijah Palmer placed fourth in the 110-meter hurdles.
Central Hardin’s Serena McNeilly placed second in the girls’ high jump, too.
Elizabethtown High School also had a state champ with Ella Johnson capturing the 3,200-meter run in 2-A as EHS placed eighth. Johnson also was second in the 1,600 meters.
The Lady Panthers also had a state runner-up team in the 4×800-meter relay.
Isabella Day led all LaRue County athletes with a fourth-place finish in the girls’ 3200-meter run and the Lady Hawks’ 4×800-meter relay team also was fourth.
Some local tennis players also performed at a high level in the state tournament in Lexington with several singles and doubles teams reaching the state quarterfinals.
Panther Matthew Parsons and Lady Panther Jai Garris each advanced to the round of 8 in the 64-player singles’ field, while Elizabethtown boys’ doubles team of Landon Hagan and Mason Baldwin reached the state quarterfinals.
The Panthers posted their highest finish ever in the state tournament with an eighth-place finish.
The Central Hardin tandem of Maddie Stevenson and KK Ditto also reached the state quarterfinals.
This season and their performances at the state’s highest level proved that Hardin County is home to some spectacular athletes.