Way Too Early Top Kentucky Contenders in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After having taken a look back at the season that was in 2025 in the Bluegrass State over the course of the month of June, it's time now to flip the page and take an early look at those teams that could be contending for a title in the Commonwealth in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trinity Shamrocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This list must start and end with the defending state champion Trinity Shamrocks. In year one of the KHSAA era, veteran head coach Pete Schroder led the Shamrocks to the top of the mountain in the Bluegrass as they were the ones hoisting the trophy at the end of the year. The Shamrocks path of a title was not easy. Trinity defeated arch rival and fellow powerhouse St. Xavier in the quarterfinals. In the state championship game, the Shamrocks had to fight against a very tough and well-respected South Oldham squad to earn the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering 2026, Trinity has some obvious questions to answer as it pertains to personnel losses. The Shamrocks graduate three of their top five scorers in Logan Bryant, Noah Hollister, and Noah McQuillen. Their sixth-leading scorer from last spring in Sam Alexander will be also gone but his loss is not exclusive to one end of the field as he was one of the best LSMs and overall poles in Kentucky over the past few seasons. The trio of Bryant, Hollister, and McQuillen attributed to 55% of the Shamrocks' offensive production in 2025. Starting goalie Adam Wickel is also gone, as well as starting poles Henry Cobb and Maverick Shultz.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bo Norrenbrock progressed a lot with 29 goals and 12 assists (40 points) as a sophomore at the attack spot. The same was true for Colin Teeley (23G/17A) who was a junior. [player_tooltip player_id='129186' first='Gavin' last='Telehany'] is the Shamrocks' most talented returning pole. Expect those names to take on bigger roles next season for the Shamrocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The cupboard is never bare on Shelbyville Road and expectations remain championship or bust for Trinity each year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Xavier Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A similar tune rings on Poplar Level Road with the St. Xavier Tigers. The winningest program in the state of Kentucky, St. Xavier has now gone two seasons without playing for a championship. However, expectations still remain as high as ever and the Tigers will be one of the best teams in the state once again in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooks Mahoney (49G/9A) and [player_tooltip player_id='22692' first='Connor' last='Marks'] (36G/21A) are the top two returners for the Tigers offense entering next spring. Mahoney led the Tigers in points and goals in 2025 as a junior. Expect [player_tooltip player_id='24365' first='Will' last='Townsend'] (25G/11A) to elevate his game even more a be bigger and more impactful part of that unit as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Where the Tigers losses will hurt the most, perhaps, is on defense. Finn Culligan and Miles Dobson were both very solid defenders at the close and LSM spots. James Fortwengler was a consistent presence in cage and put on a show from that spot each of the past two seasons. Additionally, the Tigers graduate defensive midfielder Devin Ryan who was often heralded as the best at the position in the Commonwealth. [player_tooltip player_id='24498' first='Ben' last='Pinkston'] is the top returner on defense and may be the best pole in the 2026 class in Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Oldham Dragons</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Oldham fell to Trinity in the final game of the club era in 2024 and then in the first title game of the KHSAA era in 2025. That first win over Trinity, as well as St. Xavier, still remains to be had for the Dragons who have seemingly accomplished everything but that and a championship in Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When analyzing the Dragons' immediate future, the conversation must start with the graduate of Owen Rupp who was not only one of the best faceoff in Kentucky history but also one of South Oldham's best offensive weapons as well. His loss is huge and his presence will be greatly missed. Goalie Wyatt Ward, defenseman Samuel Estrada, and attackman Cooper Olson are other impact players having graduated after 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='24119' first='Rylan' last='Rogers'] (72G/32A) and Harrison Ramsey (51G/18A) were offensive leaders for South Oldham last season. Expect those two to carry a lot of weight once more and be the faces of this squad entering next season, where many questions do await this program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Woodford County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two years ago, in 2024, Woodford County went unbeaten with a very young roster. Much of that same roster helped the Yellowjackets reach the final four last season and most of that talent will be back for 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greyson Hodge is one of the most electrifying players in the Commonwealth and has only grown in his game. He had 121 points off 67 goals and 54 assists as a sophomore. Brayden Humston and his older brother Cole were heavy contributors in 2025 as a freshmen and junior. Andrew Spellman is a very promising prospect on defense and Parker Ishmael has continued to impress in cage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Versailles might not be where the lacrosse talent has typically come from in Kentucky, but Woodford County is a serious growing power and this squad has chemistry like no other in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->