The Harlan County varsity cross country teams closed their regular season Tuesday at home for the SEKC Championships. The girls won the meet with 15 points and recorded their third perfect score of the season. The boys were second with 42 points, 20 points behind Bell County. Peyton Lunsford was named the 2023 SEKC Runner of the Year for the third straight year on the girls side. Tanner Daniels was named the 2023 SEKC Runner of the Year on the boys side.
“I’m really proud of both of these teams,” Harlan County coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “They both battled hard and ran some strong times on a tough course.:
Harlan’s girls were fourth, while the boys were fifth.
“We are very proud of our runners. They have continued to progress as individual athletes this season as well as a team,” Harlan coach Anne Lindsey said. “Each race is helping us to prepare for region on the 21st.”
Lunsford won the girls varsity race with a time of 20:13.66, setting a new course record and leading Harlan County to their SEKC title. She was immediately followed by Lauren Lewis (21:25.06), Gracie Roberts (21:31.15), Preslee Hensley (22:36.12), Kiera Roberts (22:55.78) and Charli Shepherd (23:19.78). Addi Gray (17th) finished with a time of 26:33.94. Olivia Kelly placed 23rd with a time of 27:54.18. Taylor Clem was 27th with a time of 29:25.53.
Lunsford , Lewis, Gracie Roberts, Kiera Roberts, Hensley and Shepherd were named to the All-SEKC Team.
“These girls were phenomenal tonight. They just keep getting faster. I’m so proud of their effort. Placing six girls on the All-SEKC Team is incredible,” Vitatoe said. “They were lights out and as focused as they’ve been all season. I’m really, really proud of them.
“I’m happy for Peyton on another big win. She’s worked hard to get her way back from the injury and she’s better than she’s ever been. Winning SEKC Runner of the Year is a big deal, and she deserves it.
“I can’t talk about this evening without talking about our two seniors, Olivia Kelly and Taylor Clem who ran their last home race tonight. I am so thankful to have coached them both. Taylor has been fantastic for us, she’s balanced soccer and cross this season and has done a great job. I’m thankful she’s been part of cross these last three years.
“Olivia is our captain, and she’s grown so much in her time in our program. I’m really proud of her, and I’m so glad we had the chance to have her as part of our program.”
Harper Carmical paced Harlan, placing 11th with a time of 24:39.93. Abbigaile Jones finished 13th with a time of 25:19.56. Juliana Damaa (20th) finished with a time of 27:41.25. Ella Lisenbee (30:41.81) was 28th, immediately followed by Gwendolyn Toll (30:55.09).
Daniels won the boys varsity race with a time of 17:03.31 to pace Harlan County. Elijah Moore placed fifth with a time of 18:26.66. Kaden Boggs (19:03.66) was ninth. Jacob Schwenke (19:39.66) was 13th, immediately followed by Evan Simpson (20:01.69), Caleb Schwenke (20:24.31), Ethan Simpson (20:40.09) and DaShaun Smith (20:42.84). Jonavan Rigney (21:27.69) and Kaylob Stevens (21:44.31) were 19th and 21st, respectively.
Moore and Daniels were named to the All-SEKC Team.
“The boys gave it all they had, but just came up a little short. I thought they ran hard,” Vitatoe said. “Bell is just a very good team. They were top five in the state last year, and are ranked within the top 10 this season. (Bell County coach) Jason (Stewart) runs a great program.
“You can see definite growth in these guys, and I know they’ll keep scratching and clawing the rest of the way through. I’m really proud of them.
“What a great race for Tanner. To win SEKC (and be named the runner of the year) as an eighth grader is phenomenal. He ran a fantastic race, and was in control from the start. This is not an easy course, so nearly breaking 16 minutes here is a big deal. I’m proud of him.
“Elijah has really come on in the last few weeks and he had another big race today. I’m proud of him being named to the All-SEKC team. He’s a hard worker, and he deserves this. I’m really proud of him.”
Harlan’s Noah Sharpe finished 24th with a time of 22:18.81. He was immediately followed by Cooper Thomas (22:21.81), Gabriel Xavier Farley (22:43.62) and Evan Bargo (23:00.75). Connor Collins was 29th with a time of 23:18.65. Sayed Damaa (38th) finished with a time of 26:32.50.
Harlan will return to action Saturday in Monticello for the Cave Lake Fall Classic.
Harlan County will return to action Oct. 21 for the KHSAA Region 7 Class 2A meet at West Liberty.