After a stellar season in 2023, Harlan County cross country coach Ryan Vitatoe has high expectations for his team in the upcoming season.
“This summer has been super exciting in our program,” Vitatoe said. “It’s one of the strongest summer sessions we’ve had in a long time, and I can’t say enough about how hard our kids are working. They collectively came into the summer cycle in excellent shape, and it’s really impacted the type of workouts we’ve been able to do so far. I’d venture to say we’re doing mid-September type workouts in late July and August. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Both teams ended their seasons with the highest state finishes in school history, with the girls placing second and the boys placing 10th.
“The boys are coming off a historic season, winning the region title and placing the highest at state for a boys team in our county since 1994,” Vitatoe said. “They had lofty goals coming into the summer sessions, and they’ve been working like it. They are a super close group and have had a great summer so far. The goal is to defend their region title and to place as high as possible in the state championships. They pack well, they’re already running incredible workouts, and the sky is the limit. I can’t say enough about how much they support each other, and how well they work together. We return six guys who experienced tremendous success last year, and I’m excited to see how the season unfolds. They’re here for each other. No egos. No excuses. Just hard work every day. We’re a senior-laden team and they realize this is their last chance to make their mark together.
“The girls are coming off an exceptional season with a state runner-up finish, and a regional championship earned in their 2023 campaign. We’re returning six of last year’s seven girls. We were so young last year that they were figuring it out as the season went on, but they’ve entered this season in a strong position. It’s been tough writing workouts for both teams because they’re so far ahead of where we typically are during this time of the year. This group is a special group. They’re super close, and they love each other. They’re fun to coach.”
After losing only two seniors last year, the team has several varsity runners returning for the upcoming season.
Returning seniors on the boys varsity squad are Kaden Boggs, Caleb Schwenke, Ethan Simpson and Evan Simpson; returning juniors are Elijah Moore and Jacob Schwenke.
“Kaden Boggs enters his senior year as one of our top guys, as well as one of the top guys in the region,” Vitatoe said. “He had a huge season in track this past year, winning three regional championships. He’s come a long way in his career, and I know he’ll finish his career strong. He leads by example every day.”
“Caleb Schwenke had a tremendous track season and has entered the season in great shape,” Vitatoe said. “He’s had excellent workouts, and he brings a steady form of leadership that we need. He’s invaluable to our team.”
“Ethan Simpson is in his second season and is really locked into cross country,” Vitatoe said. “He was learning the sport last season, but you can see his goals have changed for this year. Like Caleb, he offers great leadership to our guys.”
“Evan Simpson has had a great summer. He’s so far ahead of where he was at this time last season. I’d venture to say his 5k time right now would be faster than mid-season last year. Like the rest of our seniors, he provides critical leadership,” Vitatoe said. “When he speaks, the others listen. I love that about all of our seniors. That’s how it should be.”
“Elijah Moore comes into the season as the top-ranked guy in our region,” Vitatoe said. “He’s worked very hard in the offseason and has placed himself at the front of the pack with our boys. He’s one of the top-three in every workout, and he’s set himself up for a great year.”
“Jacob Schwenke has had a great summer so far. This is the best shape he’s been in this early in the year, and I can’t say enough about how serious he’s been in this early part of the season,” Vitatoe said. “He’s been in the top-three all summer long, and he’s going to have a big year.”
Senior Jonavan Rigney and juniors DaShaun Smith and Kaylob Stevens are anticipated to perform well this season.
“Jon Rigney has had an incredible summer so far, and I’d say he’s been one of our break-out guys thus far. He’s done fantastic,” Vitatoe said.
“DaShaun has run great and is becoming more consistent, which is critical for him. He was on the cusp of varsity last year and has a ton of talent,” Vitatoe said. “Kaylob Stevens continues to improve, and we’ve got some very solid new guys out that I’m excited about. We also have some young guys that I’m excited about. It’s a really fun time in the program right now. It’s going to be a good season.”
On the girls side, returning varsity runners are senior Peyton Lunsford; junior Preslee Hensley; freshmen Gracie Roberts, Kiera Roberts and Lauren Lewis; eighth-grader Jaycee Simpson.
“Peyton entered the summer practice sessions in the best shape of her career,” Vitatoe said. “It appears her ankle issue is fully behind her, and she’s looked great this summer. She has some lofty goals for herself, but I’m very proud of her leadership so far this summer. She’s been far more vocal, and sets the example for everyone.”
“Preslee brings it every day,” Vitatoe said. “She had a great summer, and I’m excited to see how the season unfolds for her. She has a ton of talent and she’s improving daily. She’s a big part of what we do and will do so again this year.”
“Gracie Roberts had a huge spring track season, winning two regional championships and medaling at the state meet,” Vitatoe said. “She’s in great shape and I think she’ll take a big step forward this fall.”
“Kiera Roberts is poised to have a big season. She took some huge steps forward this past spring, and you can see her confidence growing every single day,” Vitatoe said. “Her best days are ahead of her.”
“Lauren Lewis also had a big track season with a state medal at both the middle and high school levels,” Vitatoe said. “She’s looked fantastic this summer. She’s super quiet, but brings great effort to every practice. She’s been lights out this summer.”
“Jaycee Simpson has looked fantastic this summer. She was in our varsity crew last year and we found out after the season ended that she had ran most of the season injured,” Vitatoe said. “That appears to be behind her and she’s ran strong all summer long. I look for her to make a big jump this season.”
Seniors Aliyah Deleon and Madison Daniels are expected to be key contributors this season.
“Aliyah has looked strong this summer. She’s been snakebitten the last two seasons with injuries that have held her back, but she’s in the best shape she’s ever been in,” Vitatoe said. “Like Peyton, her leadership as a senior is invaluable. She’s going to have a good year.
“We’ve gotten some great girls out this season who will challenge for varsity spots. Maddi Daniels is a great athlete who won four regional championships last spring. She’s learning distance running, but has rapidly improved.”
Vitatoe has high expectations for his younger athletes as well.
“Aiselyn Sexton, Suzy Mumford, Lexi Boggs and Julionna Johnson will all have an opportunity to earn a varsity spot,” Vitatoe said.
“The elementary program continues to grow. Coach (Jennifer) Brock has done an excellent job recruiting and we have over 60 elementary runners this year,” Vitatoe said. “They’ve been working hard, and you can see the growth in every practice. We have several returning who medaled at last year’s state meet, and we’ve added a lot of really good runners into the fold. I know Coach Brock is very excited about the season.
“We’ve gained some strong middle school runners this year. As of now, it looks as if we’ll field both a full boys and girls team, which hasn’t happened in a while. Some of these middle school kids have moved up from the elementary program, others are first-year runners. Several of them will have an opportunity to not only do well at the middle school level; they’ll have a chance to compete for a varsity spot. I’m excited to see what they’re able to do.”
“Our focus has been on being better than you were the day before and the importance of being together as one. We haven’t really talked about last year, only in the fact that you can’t move forward if you’re looking backward. I believe that’s true in sports and life,” Vitatoe said. “You cannot reach your potential if you’re constantly looking back. We’re excited to get started and we’re going to work to be the best we are capable of being. I’m excited about the season.”
Harlan County will open its season Aug. 24 at Lynn Camp.