The Harlan County track team traveled to Bristol, Tenn., on Saturday to compete in the Frank Carver Invitational. The girls placed sixth overall with 38 points. The boys placed 17th with 14 points. Maryville (112 points) won the girls division, while Dobyns Bennett (125 points) won the boys division.
“I’m really proud of our kids today. I’ve had this meet circled since December as a great opportunity to compete in a huge field of teams with great competition,” Harlan County track coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “There were schools from four different states here, and it’s the biggest meet we’ll run in all season. It will serve us well if we are fortunate enough to advance to the state meet at the end of May.
“I thought both groups came in focused, unfazed by the environment ready to compete, and the results show it. There were so many PRs across the board. I’m just really proud of them all.”
Paige Phillips won high jump to lead the Lady Bears.
“The girls had a monster performance today,” Vitatoe said. “Finishing sixth is this field is fantastic, and I thought they competed hard throughout the day.
“Paige had a huge day for us today. She’s such a hard worker, and she deserves the success she’s experiencing. To come out of this meet with a win is a huge deal. She’s one of the best jumpers in the state of Kentucky and she just keeps getting better.”
Aliyah Deleon placed 24th in the 100-meter dash. Ella Karst finished 27th. She was immediately followed by Macy Jones.
In the 200-meter dash, Karst finished 28th. Deleon was 30th. Jones placed 36th.
Lauren Lewis was 19th in the 400-meter dash. Addi Gray finished 27th, while Preslee Hensley was 30th.
Peyton Lunsford finished 10th in the 800-meter run. Preslee Hensley placed 25th.
Kiera Roberts placed 18th in the 1,600-meter run. Suzy Mumford was 40th.
In the 3,200-meter run, Gracie Roberts finished third. Lunsford was sixth, while Kiera Roberts placed 11th.
Phillips was fifth in the 100-meter hurdles. Heaven Hensley placed 17th. Ashton Evans was 25th.
In the 300-meter hurdles, Phillips placed fourth. Heaven Hensley was 16th.
In long jump, Madison Daniels placed 20th. Heaven Hensley was 22nd. Hailie Hensley was 32nd.
Phillips was 18th in triple jump. Hailie Hensley placed 20th.
Daniels placed fifth in pole vault, breaking her school record.
“Maddie Daniels had a great day for us,” Vitatoe said. “I knew her breakout was coming in the PV, but I can’t say enough about how she’s performed in the long jump and sprint events.”
In shot put, Allison Hensley placed 25th. Addyson Caldwell and Kaitlynn Smith were 28th and 33rd, respectively.
In discus, Lacey Robinson was 35th. Allison Hensley placed 47th, while Addison Day was 48th.
Deleon, Jones, Daniels and Karst finished seventh in the 4 x 100 meter-relay.
In the 4 x 200 meter-relay, Deleon, Jones, Gray and Karst were 11th.
In the 4 x 400 meter-relay, Lewis, Lunsford, Gray and Preslee Hensley finished 13th.
Lewis, Lunsford, Preslee Hensley and Gracie Roberts placed fifth in the distance medley relay.
“The girls throws are rapidly improving, and this entire team is starting to find their footing. Ella is getting her legs under her after dealing with an injury and our distance crew is continuing to work hard,” Vitatoe said. It sets us up for a fun second half of the season if we continue to stay focused.”
Luke Kelly led the Bears, placing sixth in the 100-meter dash and fifth in the 200-meter dash, setting a new school record in both events.
“Luke had a monster day. He’s been chasing that 100-meter dash record for a few years now, and I know it meant a lot to him to finally accomplish that goal,” Vitatoe said. “Coach (Derek) Plitt has done an amazing job with the sprint crew this year. The results from both groups show it.”
In the 400-meter dash, Bryan Howard placed 13th. Ethan Simpson was 16th, while Jacob Schwenke finished 27th.
Gage Bailey was 27th in the 800-meter run. He was immediately followed by Jacob Schwenke. Evan Simpson placed 49th.
Caleb Schwenke finished 28th in the 1,600-meter run. Jonavan Rigney was 38th.
Caleb Schwenke placed 16th in the 3,200-meter run. Kaylob Stevens was 29th.
Dallas Sergent placed 12th in the 110-meter hurdles and sixth in the 300-meter hurdles. Brayden Howard placed 25th in the 110-meter hurdles and 28th in the 300-meter hurdles.
In long jump, Brayden Howard was 28th. Bryan Howard placed 32nd.
Brayden Howard was 19th in triple jump. Bradley Brock was 27th.
Landon McCreary placed fifth in pole vault. Jayce Brown was 14th.
In shot put, Bradley Henson placed 27th. Peyton Jackson was 38th, while Liam Garland was 43rd.
In discus, Alex Greene was 38th. Jacob Shoemaker and Garland were 40th and 41st, respectively.
Kelly, Sergent, Bryan Howard and Ethan Simpson finished 13th in the 4 x 200 meter-relay.
Bailey, Jacob Schwenke, Ethan Simpson and Bryan Howard finished 12th in the 4 x 400 meter-relay.
“The boys really competed hard. There were lots of PRs in the throws yesterday, that group keeps getting better, and I’m really proud of my distance guys,” Vitatoe said. “Caleb Schwenke keeps getting stronger each meet, and Gage Bailey had his breakout yesterday. I knew that was coming.
“As a team, a top-20 finish in this field of competition is something to be proud of.”
Tanner Daniels competed for Harlan in the meet, placing sixth in the 1,600-meter run.
“Tanner hit a PR by five seconds this meet. He is such a hard worker,” Harlan track coach Dakota Owens said. “He always has a mindset to get better and improve in his performance and it shows through his competitions. He is a talented, hardworking athlete. I am excited to watch to see how much he improves throughout the season.”
Harlan County will return to action on Tuesday at North Laurel for an all-comers meet. Harlan’s next meet will be on Friday for the Coal Miners Memorial Invitational.