Harlan’s track team participated in the Pepsi Five Star Invitational on Saturday in Jonesville, Va.. The boys placed fifth with 83.5 points, right behind Letcher County Central (89 points). The girls placed eighth.

To lead the Dragons, Dylan Cox was the overall winner in the 800-meter run. Kaleb McClendon was first in long jump, as well as second in triple jump. Ethan Shuler finished first in high jump.

Nate Montanaro, Eric Evans, Brayden Howard and Cox finished third in the 4 x 400 meter relay.

Trenton Childers placed second in shot put.

Montanaro was third in high jump.

McClendon also won MVP of field events.

“Coming into this meet, I was thinking we had a shot to win the whole thing on the boys side. However, we have ran into some injuries and had a couple kids not show up,” Harlan coach Trent McKenzie said. “The boys that showed up all competed hard and we had some great PRs.”

Mia Pace finished third in the 800-meter run to lead the Lady Dragons. Marissa Marlowe was third in discus.

“The girls that we had come today also competed hard and we had a couple PRs on their side,” McKenzie said. “We are slowly becoming more of a consistent track team that could make a little noise come region time as long as we stay healthy.”

Harlan’s next meet will be Friday at the Harlan County All Comers Meet.