The Harlan County cross country program has made a concerted effort to increase elementary and middle school participation in recent years.
That youth movement is paying off in unprecedented ways, as evidenced by the Bears leaving Lexington with two individual champion medals and a brand-new state record Saturday.
Tanner Daniels and Lauren Lewis each claimed individual wins in their respective races, with Daniels setting a new state record along the way.
“What an accomplishment to set a meet/course record in the process of winning,” Harlan County coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “He’s so driven. The thing about Tanner is his work ethic is as high as his talent level. He’s a special runner and he has a very bright future ahead of him in this sport. I’m really, really proud of him.
“What a great race by Lauren to capture the open division championship. This is a great accomplishment, and she has a fantastic future ahead of her in this sport.”
Daniels won the boys middle school race with a time of 13:01.12,
breaking the state meet’s 4,000-meter record previously held by Bell County’s James Brown. Jayden Sargent placed 121st with a time of 19:48.76.
“I can’t say enough about Tanner’s race today. He absolutely ran his race to perfection, and his finish is one of the grittiest finishes I’ve ever seen in my 30 years in this sport,” Vitatoe said. “He absolutely crushed the last 400-meters to erase a 20-meter gap against an incredible young man from Thomas Nelson. It was a spectacular race and I’m really proud of him. He had every opportunity to ease up and run for second, but he ran like the competitor he is. It was a great race.
“What an accomplishment it is to win a state championship. He continues to make history for our program, and it’s been awesome to watch him develop in so many different ways this season. I’m so proud of him.
“Jayden had a great race today as well. He has a bright future ahead of him as he continues to grow in our sport. I’m proud of him.”
Lewis won the girls middle school race with a time of 16:30.01. She was immediately followed by Gracie Roberts with a time of 16:40.92. Charli Shepherd placed eighth with a time of 17:30.51, immediately followed by Kiera Roberts (17:32.09). Jaycee Simpson finished 25th with a time of 18:46.54.
“The girls ran great today as well,” Vitatoe said. “The rules of this meet offer the opportunity to run in the championship division only if you compete for the school you attend. Harlan County Middle School doesn’t exist and each middle school girl attends different schools. They wanted to compete and run as a team, so they competed in the open division and ran great placing all in the top 25 and four in the top 10. It was another stellar performance by this group, and I’m proud of them.
“Gracie, Kiera, Charli, and Jaycee all ran great. It’s important to recognize that these girls did not lose at the middle school level at all this season. That is quite an accomplishment. They are a special group of girls and the future is bright for our program.”
Harlan County also had success at the elementary level Saturday, with three runners claiming medals. The elementary divisions were split into sixth-grade and under and fourth-grade and under.
“We took 26 elementary runners to state today. We competed in three races and brought home three medals amongst nearly 700 competitors,” Harlan County elementary coach Jennifer Brock said. “Even at this age, these kids are making a name for themselves and our program.“
Hutton Sherman finished sixth overall with a time of 8:47.79 in the boys fourth-grade and under race. Tate Sherman placed 113th with a time of 10:42.40. Jonah Sargent (10:51.36) was 121st. Kolbi Green (147th) finished with a time of 11:15.62. Connor Banks (11:19.61) finished 154th, while Levi Hensley was 164th (11:26.83). Zakk Collins placed 195th with a time of 12:06.31. Noah Blackwelder (13:06.47) and Colton Hensley (13:15.20) were 227th and 230th, respectively. Hunter Evans (13:18.00) was 232nd. Ace Lankford (13:35.56) placed 238th, immediately followed by Jase Sargent (13:37.73). Micah Lawson finished 250th with a time of 14:05.90, while Jonah Doyle (15:28.19) placed 259th. Gunnar Green (17:09.02) was 268th.
In the girls fourth-grade and under race, Ella Brock finished 18th with a time of 9:57.05. Payton Blackwelder placed 107th with a time of 11:25.25. Kaylyn Lawson (12:20.66) and Evva Hensley (12:21.02) were 158th and 160th, respectively. Nevaeh Stone (181st) finished with a time of 12:53.84, while Landri Dagnan (12:58.66) was 185th. Kadie Lawson finished 191st with a time of 13:07.13. Peyton Sherman (13:37.13) placed 203rd.
Trey Creech finished 28th with a time of 13:46.85 in the boys sixth-grade and under race. Jace Hensley was 109th with a time of 16:23.34. Jordan Sargent placed 162nd with a time of 21:01.24.
“I have seen so much progress in all our runners throughout this season. I have watched many of them set personal goals, big and small, and it is so much fun watching them achieve those goals,” Brock said. “These kids have had a phenomenal season. I couldn’t be more proud. I hate to see the season come to an end, but I am already looking forward to next fall.”
“I want to thank head elementary coach Jennifer Brock for all her work with the program this year. Our numbers have grown so much and I’m appreciative to her for stepping in and taking the reins of that program,” Vitatoe said. “Baili (Bailey), Miranda (Epperson), and Abby (Vitatoe) all offer great support to both programs, and I am appreciative to all of our coaching staff. We try to run a program of inclusivity, a program that has fun, and offers respect to all the other programs our school has to offer. I appreciate my staff for their professionalism and all the hard work they offer to our kids.
“What a great day of racing for our middle and elementary school kiddos. We are very proud of all of them, and we want to continue to grow these two programs.”
Harlan County’s varsity teams will compete on Saturday at West Liberty for the KHSAA Class 2A Region 7 meet.
