The Harlan and Harlan County elementary and middle school cross country teams closed their regular season on Monday at Bell County.
Harlan County’s elementary boys won their race with 27 points, 18 points ahead of Harlan.
“I could not be more proud of these kids. They came ready to run tonight, with many of them running PRs or their season best,” Harlan County elementary coach Jennifer Brock said. “We have a few sixth-grade boys that have played a big role in our top finishes. We sure will miss them next season as they move up to the middle school team. I am looking forward to seeing a few of the younger boys step up to fill those spots. The majority of our girls are third-grade and under. I expect great things from them next season.”
Harlan’s elementary girls won the meet with 23 points, 14 points ahead of Harlan County.
“We are so proud of all our runners tonight. As our elementary and middle school season winds down we are witnessing the growth of each runner throughout the season,” Harlan coach Anne Lindsey said. “Seeing their progress has been such a joy. They have matured as individual runners, improving in areas of form and performance. They have also matured as a team. They have learned to run for each other and not just themselves. Seeing that type of progress is one of the best parts of coaching this young group.”
Hutton Sherman paced Harlan County, finishing third overall with a time of 8:44.53. He was immediately followed by Trey Creech (8:51.64). Jace Hensley placed 10th with a time of 9:39.37. Rounding out the results were Robby Johnson (14th, 9:58.34), Kolbi Green (18th, 10:23.86), Tate Sherman (19th, 10:25.29), Jonah Sargent (24th, 10:45.26), Colton Hensley (28th, 11:16.52), Levi Hensley (30th, 11:24.46), Landin Blackwelder (35th, 11:34.43), Deacon Lisenbee (36th, 11:34.65), Brycen Saylor (38th, 11:38.06), Sawyer Shackleford (39th, 11:40.47), Hunter Evans (43rd, 12:24.10), Jase Sargent (44th, 12:40.40), Ace Lankford (45th, 13:21.16), Jordan Sargent (47th, 13:31.24), Hunter Asher (48th, 13:41.38), Noah Blackwelder (49th, 13:48.01), Micah Lawson (51st, 14:53.90), Gunnar Green (55th, 15:47.38) and Jonah Doyle (56th, 15:54.99).
To lead Harlan to a second-place finish, Aiden Browning placed 11th with a time of 9:40.35. Kash Bailey (13th) finished with a time of 9:47.25. Mason Raleigh (10:06.82) was 16th, immediately followed by Canaan Bolton (10:10.51). Other finishers were Thomas Miller (21st, 10:28.60), Kelton Dean (22nd, 10:32.79), Skylar Boggs (23rd, 10:39.25), Braxton Sizemore (27th, 11:06.81), Justyce Young (32nd, 11:30.81), Andrew Alred (33rd, 11:31.03), Connor Thomas (34th, 11:34.05) and Emmett Alred (37th, 11:35.39).
Lillie Carver won the girls elementary race with a time of 9:04.70 to lead Harlan. She was immediately followed by Zoe Lawson (9:07.98) and Mckenzie Petrey (9:25.18). Julianne Miller finished sixth with a time of 9:54.24. Rounding out the results were Josephine Toll (16th, 11:35.80), Ellianna Carver (21st, 11:57.89), McKinley Taylor (26th, 13:04.49), Meredith Lawson (28th, 13:38.28) and Ila Hendrickson (33rd, 14:25.98).
Ella Brock finished seventh with a time of 10:21.39 to pace Harlan County to a second-place finish. She was immediately followed by Krislyn Clem (10:43.65) and Sadie Shackleford (10:49.18). Other finishers were Kaylyn Lawson (11th, 11:18.61), Paisleigh Asher (14th, 11:29.67), Payton Blackwelder (18th, 11:45.38), Isabella Burkhart (19th, 11:52.03), Nevaeh Stone (23rd, 12:24.62), Evva Hensley (24th, 12:43.87), Landri Dagnan (25th, 12:54.81), Charlotte Mitchell (27th, 13:23.84), Kadie Lawson (29th, 13:38.69), Peyton Sherman (30th, 14:04.66) and Madilyn Turner (34th, 14:35.51).
Harlan County’s Jayden Sargent finished seventh overall in the boys middle school race with a time of 16:39.06.
Harlan’s Michael Lindsey placed 10th with a time of 19:12.56 in the boys middle school race.
Harlan County’s elementary teams will return to action on Saturday for the KTCCCA Meet of Champions in Lexington.
Both teams’ varsity teams will compete Tuesday at Harlan County for the SEKC Championships.