Owensboro Times is excited to host our annual OT Sports Awards ceremony on May 17, recognizing dozens of high school student-athletes and coaches for their achievements during the 2025-26 seasons. Here’s a look at the finalists in each sport, along with information on how businesses can sponsor individual awards.
All finalists will be admitted free, while tickets for guests are $10 each. Invitations with RSVP and ticket instructions have been sent to finalists, their parents, and/or coaches. Anyone who believes they should have received an invitation but did not is asked to email [email protected].
The OT Sports Awards (The OTs) will be held in the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital auditorium. Owensboro Community & Technical College is serving as the presenting sponsor, with Owensboro Health as the Champion Sponsor.
Gold-level sponsorships are also available, allowing businesses to sponsor a specific award category. Sponsorship includes recognition on Owensboro Times social media platforms, in advance coverage on the website, during the May 17 ceremony (including the printed program), and in post-event coverage announcing the winners. Those interested in sponsoring an award can contact Brock Quinton at [email protected].
Only teams participating in a KHSAA-governed sport are considered for the OTs, meaning club and travel teams are not eligible.
In addition to sport-specific honors, Owensboro Times will again present Academic-Athlete of the Year awards — recognizing one male and one female from each school — as well as the Tom Watson Resiliency Award, which honors courage and perseverance. We’ll also again honor a Coach of the Year.
Finalists for Player of the Year for the fall and winter seasons are as follows:
Girls XC Runner of the Year
- Peyton Reid, Owensboro Catholic
- Makenzie Ross, Daviess County
- Haley Wolfe, Daviess County
Boys XC Runner of the Year
- Asher Alvey, Apollo
- Noah Gray, Apollo
- Judson Redfern, Daviess County
Girls Golfer of the Year
- Bailey Billingsley, Daviess County
- Briley Billingsley, Daviess County
- Claire Reynolds, Daviess County
Boys Golfer of the Year
- Vince Hayden, Owensboro Catholic
- Collin Reynolds, Daviess County
- Jacob Shultz, Hancock County
Girls Soccer Player of the Year
- Allie Marston, Owensboro Catholic
- Lily Nieman, Owensboro
- Mary Evelyn Wiman, Daviess County
Boys Soccer Player of the Year
- Peter Mbayo, Owensboro
- Saw Mu, Daviess County
- Kennedy Payne, Owensboro
Girls Volleyball Player of the Year
- Ayrish Barksdale, Owensboro
- Avery Gray, Apollo
- Lexi Jones, Daviess County
Football Offensive Player of the Year
- Miles Edge, Owensboro Catholic
- Evan Hampton, Owensboro
- Xavier Maddox, Owensboro Catholic
Football Defensive Player of the Year
- Ty Ashley, Owensboro
- Miles Edge, Owensboro Catholic
- Eli Hampton, Owensboro
Football Special Teams Player of the Year
- Kingston Dillard, Owensboro
- Kalil “Tre” Shemwell, Owensboro
- Caiden Tutt, Apollo
Girls Bowler of the Year
- Zoey Douglas, Owensboro
- Sophie O’Bryan, Apollo
- Addison Wells, Apollo
Boys Bowler of the Year
- Xavier Coomes, Owensboro
- Dathan Hinton, Owensboro
- Jaxson Unsel, Daviess County
Girls Swimmer of the Year
- Ryleigh Bevil, Daviess County
- Mary Ava Evans, Owensboro Catholic
- Ellie Girten, Daviess County
Boys Swimmer of the Year
- Max Baur, Owensboro
- Miller Bowman, Owensboro Catholic
- Ethan Lippert, Owensboro
Diver of the Year
- Cole Taylor, Daviess County
- Olivia Esposito, Apollo
- Reed Burton, Daviess County
Girls Wrestler of the Year
- Kaylee Klee, Daviess County
- Mariya Meh, Daviess County
- Kali Nichols, Daviess County
Boys Wrestler of the Year
- Jaxton Howard, Apollo
- Kevin Lopez, Apollo
- Jackson Stoner, Daviess County
Girls Basketball Player of the Year
- Katie Hagan, Owensboro Catholic
- Karlee Floyd, McLean County
- Kennedy Lane, Daviess County
Boys Basketball Player of the Year
- Landon Henning, Apollo
- Jonathan Moss, Daviess County
- DeAaron Watkins, Daviess County
Girls Tennis Player of the Year
- Jenna Faulkner, Daviess County
- Anna Travis, Owensboro
- Emmie Kate Williams, Daviess County
Boys Tennis Player of the Year
- Jack Haines, Owensboro Catholic
- Miles McDaniel, Owensboro
- Landon McDuffee, Daviess County
Girls Track Athlete of the Year
- Jazlyn Douglas, Owensboro
- Carolina Jones, Hancock County
- Peyton Reid, Owensboro Catholic
Boys Track Athlete of the Year
- Noah Gray, Apollo
- Gabriel Jones, Apollo
- Ryder Williams, Daviess County
Boys Volleyball
- Cole Roby, Trinity
Bass Fisherman Boat
- Lucas Lindsey and Dawson Donahue, Apollo
Softball Player of the Year
- Molly Hancock, Daviess County
- Mollie Julian, Apollo
- Annie Newman, Daviess County
Baseball Player of the Year
- Ty Ashley, Owensboro
- Ryleigh Logan, Apollo
- Jaxson White, Owensboro Catholic
Cheer Team of the Year
- Daviess County Daviess County
- Owensboro
- Owensboro Catholic
Dance Team of the Year
- Apollo
- Daviess County
- Owensboro
- Owensboro Catholic
