Academic Titans
Russell and Ashland Schools Rule
the Governor’s Cup State Meet!
Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
The 2025 Governor’s Cup State Academic Team Meet has wrapped up, and the results are in: Russell High School and Paul G. Blazer High School dominated the competition in a spectacular fashion, showcasing their intellectual prowess and proving that the Region 16 is a force to be reckoned with in the world of academic excellence. From thrilling victories in Quick Recall to top-tier placements in various academic categories, both Russell and Ashland schools have emerged as shining stars on the state stage.
Russell High School has certainly made its position as one of Kentucky’s premier academic teams evident by clinching its 8th overall Governor’s Cup Championship with a remarkable score of 70.5 points. Their impressive performance outshone other formidable competitors like Ashland Paul G. Blazer High School (37.5 points), South Warren High School (36 points), and Greenwood High School (30.25 points). With this win, Russell now boasts the second-most Governor’s Cup championships in Kentucky history, trailing only Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in Lexington, a much larger school.
Russell High School’s Academic Team’s triumphs were spread across multiple events, highlights include:
Quick Recall: Russell took 1st place in this fast-paced and exciting event, with standout performances from team captain Snehan Saroch, Ahya Farhat, Myra Jindal, and Justin Jiang. Along with other players like Chase Holbrook, Harper Ragains, Yasmeen Farhat, and others.
Language Arts: Russell grabbed 1st place (tie), and 5th place (tie), with Ahya Farhat earning 1st place and Snehan Saroch taking 5th place.
Science: The science category saw Russell finish in 3rd, 6th, and 8th places, with Snehan Saroch, Harper Ragains, and Justin Jiang taking the honors respectively.
Social Studies: Russell's Chase Holbrook tied for 10th place, while Miguel Pangan secured 4th place in Mathematics and Yasmeen Farhat earned 7th place (tie) in Arts and Humanities.
The team’s success is a true showing of what relentless practice and dedication can do for those with the will to succeed. With the second-most Governor’s Cup championships in Kentucky, Russell’s legacy in academic achievement continues to inspire future generations of students.
Not to be outshone, Ashland Paul G. Blazer High School delivered a performance that left the competition in awe, finishing 2nd overall at the state meet. Though they came up just short of Russell, Blazer’s impressive 37.5 points and multiple high finishes in categories like Quick Recall, Language Arts, and Science demonstrated the team’s academic excellence.
Paul G. Blazer High School’s performance highlights include…
Quick Recall: A dynamic team of champions! Anna Bocook (C), Bonham Buchannon, Dirk Hay, Teshawn McDonald, Caroline Yates, Zack Dillon, Coltyn West, and Aiden Conley showed incredible teamwork and knowledge taking home 4th place.
Language Arts: Anna Bocook took home 1st place (tie) – her exceptional writing skills and creativity earned her top honors!
Science: Bonham Buchannon snagged 9th, and Zack Dillon followed closely with 10th – proving their brilliance in the world of science!
Arts & Humanities: Anna Bocook 1st place, alongside Caroline Yates with 4th place – showcasing their artistic talents and creative vision in a competition full of inspiring performances.
With a wealth of talented students and a robust academic culture, Ashland Blazer is undoubtedly a powerhouse in Kentucky’s academic community, and their hard work paid off in a fantastic second-place finish. Ashland Academic Team Coach Eric Lamber, noted, “What is the best academic team region in the State? 16th Region, of course!” Lambert expressed his excitement over Russell and Ashland taking first and second place in the state, “First and second place in the entire State! You won't find another region quite like this one!!! Congrats to state Champs, Russell! We prefer winning, but if it's to anyone, we are alright with it being our friends down the road!”
Ashland Middle School and Russell Middle School have just as much to celebrate as their high school counterparts after their impressive performances at the Governor’s Cup State Meet. Both schools demonstrated incredible talent and academic excellence, securing strong placements that highlight the bright futures of their students. Ashland Middle School finished 8th overall in the state, with standout finishes in Quick Recall, Future Problem Solving, and General Knowledge, showcasing their students’ quick thinking and problem-solving abilities. Russell Middle School also made a mark with Piper Darnell earning 10th place in Written Composition, proving that the academic talent at the middle school level is just as formidable as at the high school level. These achievements not only reflect the dedication of the students but also the support and guidance they receive from their teachers and coaches. With such outstanding results, Ashland and Russell Middle Schools are undoubtedly building a strong foundation for continued success in future academic competitions!
Ashland Middle’s performance highlights include:
Quick Recall: Ashland Middle earned 5th place in this exciting event, showcasing quick-thinking skills and teamwork.
Future Problem Solving: Their Future Problem-Solving team also made waves, securing 5th place in a competitive field.
Junior Future Problem Solving: The younger participants impressed with their own 5th place finish in this event.
Individual Honors: Adrian Mattingly secured 8th place in Math and 9th in General Knowledge, while Tristan Barnett earned 4th place in General Knowledge.
The combined efforts of Russell and Ashland Schools have brought immense pride to region 16. The victories and high placements reflect the hard work, collaboration, and academic spirit fostered in these schools. From the students to the coaches to the families who support them, this success is a collective achievement that deserves to be celebrated.
With a combination of fierce competition, incredible teamwork, and an unwavering drive for excellence, Russell and Ashland Schools have firmly established themselves as leaders in Kentucky’s academic scene. The future of these talented students looks incredibly bright, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to soar!