BOWLING GREEN — Lafayette High School is the 2012 Kentucky Class 5A state marching band champion.

Lafayette topped North Hardin in Saturday night's 5A finals of the Kentucky Music Educators Association Kentucky State Marching Band Championships at Western Kentucky University's Houchens-L.T. Smith Stadium, with Madison Central taking third and Paul Laurence Dunbar finishing fourth. Dunbar was denied a third straight state title. It won in 2010 and 2011.

Dunbar and Lafayette are perennial 5A state championship contenders. Dunbar has won seven state titles. Saturday's was Lafayette's 17th state championship. "We had great leadership this year; great students, great parents; a great staff," Lafayette band director Chuck Smith said after the results were announced late Saturday. "We have a great organization at Lafayette, and I'm proud to be part of it."

Beechwood won Class A, followed by Hazard, Murray and Williamstown. Class 2A went to Glasgow, followed by Danville, LaRue County and Hart County. Bourbon County won Class 3A, trailed by Adair County, Garrard County and Boyle County. Madisonville-North Hopkins won Class 4A, followed by Grant County, Anderson County and John Hardin.

Jim Warren: (859) 231-3255.