After earning the title of Class 2A, Region 7 champions Tuesday at Bath County, the Harlan County track team will compete at the KHSAA Class 2A State Championship at Lexington on May 31. The number of qualifiers for the team nearly doubled from last year, jumping from 26 to 41 individual team members and all relay teams participating.
Male qualifiers
Gage Bailey – 4 x 400-meter relay, 4 x 800-meter relay
Kaden Boggs – 1,600-meter run, 3,200-meter run, 4 x 800-meter relay
Jayce Brown – pole vault, 4 x 100-meter relay alternate
Taelor Haywood – long jump, high jump, 4 x 100-meter relay,
Bradley Henson – shot put
Brayden Howard – triple jump, 4 x 200-meter relay alternate
Bryan Howard – 4 x 200-meter relay, 4 x 400-meter relay, 4 x 100-meter relay alternate
Peyton Jackson – shot put
Christopher Johnson – 4 x 800-meter relay alternate
Luke Kelly – 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 4 x 100-meter relay, 4 x 200-meter relay, 4 x 400-meter relay alternate
Landon McCreary – pole vault, 4 x 200-meter relay alternate
Jonah Mumford – 4 x 100-meter relay alternate, 4 x 200-meter relay alternate, 4 x 400-meter relay alternate
Jonavan Rigney – 4 x 800-meter relay alternate
Caleb Schwenke – 4 x 800-meter relay
Jacob Schwenke – 4 x 400-meter relay, 4 x 800-meter relay
Dallas Sergent – 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, 4 x 100-meter relay, 4 x 200-meter relay
Drew Sergent – 4 x 400-meter relay alternate
Jacob Shoemaker – discus
Ethan Simpson – 400-meter dash, 4 x 100-meter relay, 4 x 200-meter relay, 4 x 400-meter relay,
Evan Simpson – 4 x 400-meter relay alternate, 4 x 800-meter relay alternate
Kaylob Stevens – 4 x 800-meter relay alternate
Gibson Wilder – 4 x 100-meter relay alternate, 4 x 200-meter relay alternate
Female qualifiers
Taylor Clem – pole vault
Jaylee Cochran – 4 x 200-meter relay, 4 x 100-meter relay alternate, 4 x 400-meter relay alternate
Madison Daniels – long jump, pole vault, 4 x 100-meter relay, 4 x 200-meter relay alternate
Aliyah Deleon – 100-meter dash, 4 x 100-meter relay, 4 x 200-meter relay, 4 x 400-meter relay alternate
Makenna Dillman – 4 x 100-meter relay alternate, 4 x 200-meter relay alternate, 4 x 400-meter relay alternate
Hailie Hensley – 4 x 800-meter relay alternate
Heaven Hensley – 100-meter hurdles
Preslee Hensley – 4 x 400-meter relay, 4 x 800-meter relay
Brianna Howard – 4 x 400-meter relay, 4 x 100-meter relay alternate, 4 x 200-meter relay alternate, 4 x 800-meter relay alternate
Macy Jones – 4 x 100-meter relay, 4 x 200-meter relay, 4 x 400-meter relay alternate
Ella Karst – 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 4 x 100-meter relay, 4 x 200-meter relay
Ryleigh Lawson – 4 x 100-meter relay alternate, 4 x 200-meter relay alternate
Lauren Lewis – 400-meter dash, 4 x 400-meter relay, 4 x 800-meter relay
Peyton Lunsford – 800-meter run, 3,200-meter run, 4 x 400-meter relay, 4 x 800-meter relay
Maddi Middleton – high jump, triple jump
Suzy Mumford – 4 x 800-meter relay alternate
Paige Phillips – 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, high jump, triple jump
Gracie Roberts – 1,600-meter run, 3,200-meter run, 4 x 800-meter relay
Kiera Roberts – 1,600-meter run, 4 x 800-meter relay alternate
Quotes from coach Ryan Vitatoe:
“Every state meet is an exciting event for our coaches, kids and fans and this one is no exception. When I think back to where we were in 2014 when I took over the program, my first team had a total of 24 kids (both boys and girls). It’s amazing that 10 years later we’re taking more kids to the state meet than I had on that first team. It’s incredible, and it’s a testament to how hard every kid who’s been a member of this program has worked over the years. It makes this year extra exciting when you realize we have a boy in every event but one and a girl in every event but two. We have multiple participants in events. These kids really did their job at the regional meet, and because of that we’re going to have a great opportunity to score a lot of points at the state meet. A lot of these kids are making a return trip to this meet. They’ve been here multiple times, and they can really set the tone for the rest of the group. This is really the ‘pay day’ for all their hard work this season. They get a chance to stand on the facility at the University of Kentucky knowing they’re one of the 24 best in their event in all of class 2A. They all have a real opportunity to be successful. I’m going to do my best to give quotes, but it’s hard to do justice to what this group is and to give the credit they deserve.”
“Luke has an excellent chance to medal in both the 100- and 200-meter dash. He’s currently sitting fifth in the 200 and his PR in the 100 is near the top times in the state. He’s a hard worker and he deserves this opportunity to show that.”
“The boys 4 x 800 relay team of Kaden Boggs, Gage Bailey, Jacob Schwenke and Caleb Schwenke have a great shot at a medal as well. Their PR (that broke the school record) places them near the top five. I think they have a real opportunity ahead of them to break another school record and get a medal in the process. They will be very competitive on Friday.”
“Dallas finds himself on the cusp of a medal in both hurdles. When I think back to where he started four years ago, I knew then that he’d eventually get to this point. He’s a hard worker and he brings it every single day. I also can’t say enough about the work Baili (Bailey) has done with all of our hurdles. She has them ready.”
“Ethan has a chance to finish high in the 400 and our boys 4 x 100 is most definitely a medal contender. Ethan Simpson, Taelor Haywood, Luke and Dallas have improved as much as any sprint relay team I’ve seen in my years. They chased that record all season long, and it was a super fast record to begin with. There’s literally a fraction of a second separating them from a top-five finish. Both this group and the 4 x 200 guys, Bryan Howard, Ethan, Luke and Dallas, have worked hard this season and much of that success is attributed to the work Derek Plitt has done with our sprinters this year. He’s made a huge difference in our program.”
“Kaden has a real chance at a medal in the 3,200. The regional meet was so hot that the 3,200 times (both boys and girls) are not indicative of the talent in our distance crew. We tried to get the lead at region and put it in ‘cruise control’ to deal with the heat, but Kaden has run the third fastest time in our school’s history in both the 1,600 and 3,200 in his first season. He works hard, has the right attitude, and he’s going to continue to get better.”
“Both Brad and Peyton will have a shot at scoring for us in the shot. Brad has been with us a few years now and I’m so glad he’ll close his career in Lexington. This is Peyton’s first year with us. He’s got a bright future. I’m also super excited for Jacob Shoemaker to finish in Lexington. He’s been such an important part of our program. He deserves to be there. Josh (Sargent) has done a great job with them this season.”
“Taelor and Brayden will have a chance to score in their respective jumps. They’ve worked really hard in their careers and I’m glad they’ll finish in Lexington. Another strong candidate for medals is Jayce Brown and Landon McCreary in the pole vault. Both of these guys have increased their PRs by a foot and a half this season. Pole vault is a wild event, you never know what can happen on meet day and these guys both can be contenders. Abby (Vitatoe) has all of her vaulters ready to go.”
“The girls 4 x 800 team of Peyton Lunsford, Lauren Lewis, Preslee Hensley and Gracie Roberts will have a great chance at a top-five finish. In fact, their fastest time this season ranks fifth in the state. They’re all battle-tested being part of the state runner-up team in the fall and I think they understand what it takes to be successful at this level.”
“Paige has a huge opportunity to finish high in all four of her events. She’s ranked among the top five in the 100 hurdles and the high jump. She’s another battle-tested senior who has been here several times. She understands what it takes to be successful. I’m super happy for Heaven to get the opportunity to finish her career on the blue track. She’s a hard worker and deserves this.”
“Ella and Aliyah are two more who have a chance to be highly competitive. Ella has been here every season, and she understands the assignment. She’s a tough kid and she’ll compete hard. I’m so excited for Aliyah Deleon to be here at the state meet. She shifted over to sprints last season after being mid distance and she’s flourished. Those two, teamed with Madison Daniels, eighth-grader Jaylee Cochran and freshman Macy Jones, have a great opportunity in the 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relays. They have really came on late in the season.”
“Gracie and Kiera Roberts are medal contenders in the 1,600, and Gracie has a chance to medal as well in the 3,200. These two were also part of that AA State Runner-Up CC team in the fall, and they know what it takes to be successful at this level. There are only a few seconds separating them from medal contention.”
“Of course, Peyton Lunsford is no stranger to state competition. She’ll be a medal contender in both the 800 and 3,200 runs. She’s done this many times and understands the assignment. Lauren Lewis has a great shot at a medal in the 800 and she’ll be right there in the 400 as well. Those two, teamed with Brianna Howard and Preslee Hensley, will also be highly competitive in the 4 x 400 relay.”
“Madison Daniels has established herself as one of the best all-around athletes on our team this season. She is highly ranked in the long jump and is a definite medal contender in the pole vault. She’s been ranked inside the top five in the vault all season long. I also can’t say enough about Maddi Middleton. She’s in medal contention in both the triple and high jumps. She’s finally healthy and back to the Maddi we saw before her knee injury.”
“The most important thing for both teams to recognize is the importance of finding that last bit of effort to give. That is the difference between scoring and not. We have to be committed to give every ounce we have. To have no excuses, and to recognize that we 100 percent belong there. I told my kids in the fall, ‘People can say whatever, but numbers do not lie’. The numbers show these kids can be highly competitive. It’s been a great season, and I hope we can finish it strong.”
