Lafayette's Pride of the Bluegrass won the KMEA Class 5A state title Oct. 31, edging Dunbar 90.90 to 90.35. A Lafayette runner also won the Class 3A state race.

Lafayette High School’s marching band won the state championship again. The band, known as the Pride of the Bluegrass, took the 2026 Kentucky Music Educators Association Class 5A title Saturday, Oct. 31, at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green.

It is Lafayette’s 26th state championship, Fayette County Public Schools said. The title repeats last year’s win. This year’s show was titled “Fifteen.”

A close finish between two Lexington schools

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School finished a close second. The two Lexington bands were separated by just over half a point:

Band Score
Lafayette High School 90.90
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School 90.35

The KMEA competition brings together the state’s top 30 bands in five classes, FCPS said. Classes are set by the size of the school and the size of the band. Six judges score each band from 0 to 100 on:

  • musical performance
  • visual performance
  • general effect
  • field and timing

A state cross country title the same day

Lafayette also had a state champion on the course. Van Weimer won the boys’ Class 3A individual title at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s 2026 State Cross Country Championships, held Oct. 31 at the Kentucky Horse Park, FCPS said. The Lafayette Generals were runners-up in the boys’ team standings.

In the girls’ race, the district said:

  • Sophia Anderson of Henry Clay High School placed fourth
  • Macyn Heenan-Menges of Lafayette placed 11th
  • Frederick Douglass High School finished third in the team results, and Lafayette seventh

Douglass volleyball heads to state

Frederick Douglass High School’s girls volleyball team is still playing. The Broncos beat Tates Creek 3-0 in the Oct. 29 final to win the 2026 11th Region tournament, FCPS said. On the way they knocked out Paul Laurence Dunbar and Great Crossing.

Douglass drew West Jessamine in the first round of the KHSAA state tournament. The tournament ends Saturday, Nov. 7, in Winchester, about 15 miles east of Lexington.

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