The Harlan County track team competed at an all-comers meet in Leslie County on Tuesday. The Bears won the boys division with 211 points. The Lady Bears placed second in the girls division with 172 points, right behind Leslie County (181 points).

“Proud of our kids for their effort tonight. We had some great performances and you could see a measurable difference between our first meet on Friday and today. I thought we were tight a bit on Friday and we looked much more relaxed this evening,” HC coach Ryan Vitatoe said.

To lead the Bears, Luke Kelly won the 100- and 200-meter dash. Andrew Yeary won the 800- and 1,600-meter run. Tanner Daniels was first in the 3,200-meter run and second in the 1,600-meter run. Dallas Sergent won the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. Taelor Haywood was first in high jump. Connor Blevins won shot put and placed second in discus. Tanner Griffin and Seth Robinson won unified shot put.

“The boys were really dialed in and performed well. Luke had another great meet, as did Dallas, Andrew, Taelor and Connor,” Vitatoe said. “Getting Tanner back was a big lift for us as well. All the guys did great tonight.”

Kelly, Haywood, Sergent and Hunter Crain were the overall winners in the 4 x 100 meter relay.

Austin Crain, Jacob Schwenke, Hunter Crain and Yeary won the 4 x 400 meter relay.

Yeary, Caleb Schwenke, Jacob Schwenke and Austin Crain won the 4 x 800 meter relay.

Austin Crain finished second in the 400-meter dash.

Hunter Crain, Haywood, Kelly and Austin Crain were second in the 4 x 200 meter relay.

Gage Bailey, Kyle Farley, Bryan Howard and Ethan Simpson finished second in the 4 x 400 meter relay.

Landon McCreary was second in pole vault, while Jayce Brown placed third.

Bryan Howard was second in long jump.

Brayden Howard placed second in triple jump.

“I was really pleased with our young guys tonight too. They were much more aggressive tonight, and that will be critical in their development and ability to contribute,” Vitatoe said.

To lead the Lady Bears, Ella Karst won the 200-meter dash. Lauren Lewis was first in the 1,600-meter run and second in the 3,200-meter run. Paige Phillips was first in the 100-meter hurdles, second in the 300-meter hurdles and third in high jump. Maddi Middleton was the overall winner in high jump and placed third in triple jump. Madison Daniels was first in pole vault.

“Our girls were solid again tonight as well. Ella, Lauren, Paige all had big wins. Maddi picked up a big win in the high jump, and Madison was really solid in the pole vault,” Vitatoe said. “Our girls’ 4×100 relay was solid once again this evening, too.”

Karst, Aliyah Deleon, Emilee Eldridge and Taytum Griffin won the 4 x 100 meter relay.

Eldridge was third in the 100-meter dash.

Heaven Hensley was third in the 100-meter hurdles.

Griffin, Karst, Eldridge and Brianna Howard finished second in the 4 x 200 meter relay.

Addi Gray, Deleon, Preslee Hensley and Howard were third in the 4 x 400 meter relay.

Gray, Hensley, Gracie Roberts and Lewis were second in the 4 x 800 meter relay.

Taylor Lunsford placed second in shot put and in discus.

“Like the boys, a lot of our young girls showed a lot of promise tonight,” Vitatoe said. “You could see a huge difference in their focus and performance during this meet, and it’s really exciting.

“We have several events on both sides that we need to shore up and get stronger, but I like where we are. Hopefully, we will have Peyton and Thomas back very soon, and that will be a big lift for both teams,” Vitatoe said. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we’ll keep working to be ready for the championships in May.”

HC’s next meet will be at home in the Coal Miners Memorial Invitational on April 7th.