The Harlan County cross country team had great success while hosting the Bob Howard Memorial Invitational on Saturday. The varsity girls and varsity boys won with 19 and 20 points, respectively.
“I’m really proud of both of these teams. One of the things we’ve discussed since Morgan County was matching that intensity today. I thought we did a great job of that when you consider that these groups ran comparable times today (from Morgan) on a much tougher course,” Harlan County cross country coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “We talked all week about the fact that if you’re fast (and focused), you’ll run fast on any course. You don’t have to go out and pick a fast course to run a fast time. If you’re fast, you’re fast…and I think they proved that today. I’m proud of them all. They took that to heart and really showed up today. It’s another great step in the right direction at the right time.”
Peyton Lunsford won the girls race with a time of 20:40.00 to lead Harlan County. She was immediately followed by Gracie Roberts (20:51.00). Lauren Lewis (21:40.31) finished fourth, immediately followed by Kiera Roberts (22:01.00). Preslee Hensley was seventh with a time of 22:27.00. Aliyah Deleon placed 11th with a time of 24:05.55. Suzy Mumford (19th) finished with a time of 26:10.00. Madison Daniels (32:11.12) and Riley Witt (36:24.50) were 26th and 31st, respectively.
“The girls ran a great race today. One of the things we’ve talked about in the last two weeks is embracing the parts of the race where we’ve been struggling and they’ve done a great job of that,” Vitatoe said. “I thought this was their best performance of the season. They ran a really solid race and I thought they competed their tails off, and when we’re focused like that we are a really, really good team. I’m proud of them. They are a great group of kids.”
“I’m really proud of the move that Peyton and Gracie made in the last half of the race. I was afraid it was slipping away a bit, as the girl from North Laurel is really good and made a big move, but they battled back hard,” Vitatoe said. “I know this is special for Peyton to win this race for the second consecutive year. I can’t even begin to imagine how proud Bob would be. I’m really proud of both of them.
“Lauren has really come on in the last three races and I’m proud of her perseverance. She’s a great runner and you can see her confidence growing. You could say the same thing for Kiera as well. She has gotten better every race. Preslee and Aliyah are getting faster each race as well. We appear to be coming together at the right time and I’m really proud of them all. I can’t say enough good things about Suzy and her improvement this season. She’s going to be a big contributor for us down the road. Maddie has also done a great job as well. I’m proud of her. I’m also really proud of Riley. She’s come a long way this season. We missed Jaycee today but should be at full strength the rest of the way.”
To lead Harlan’s girls, Harper Carmical finished ninth with a time of 23:03.00. Abbigaile Jones placed 20th with a time of 26:29.88.
“Abbie and Harper, for our girls team, continue to push themselves physically and mentally, developing the toughness needed for this sport,” Harlan cross country coach Anne Lindsey said.
Elijah Moore placed fourth with a time of 17:55.09 in the boys race to lead Harlan County. He was immediately followed by Kaden Boggs (17:55.50), Jacob Schwenke (18:20.20), Caleb Schwenke (18:34.44) and Jonavan Rigney (18:37.31). Ethan Simpson placed 12th with a time of 19:10.15. He was immediately followed by DaShaun Smith (19:11.30). Evan Simpson was 17th with a time of 19:43.00. Christopher Johnson (25th) finished with a time of 20:47.31. Kaylob Stevens placed 32nd with a time of 22:04.98. Jaxton Miller (42nd) and Landon Cook (46th) finished with times of 25:14.15 and 26:49.50, respectively.
“I thought the boys ran another stellar race. They just keep getting better and have really been lights out the last half of the season,” Vitatoe said. “They’ve worked their way up into uncharted territory with their performances these last two meets. We’ve never been ranked this high in the state at this point in the year, and I honestly think they’ll get faster if they keep at it.
“I thought Elijah and Kaden had a huge race, but that next group of Caleb, Jon, Jacob and Ethan were right on their heels. DaShaun had the best race of his career and Evan ran great as well. I can’t say enough about my young guys and how much they’ve improved. Chris, Kaylob, Jaxton and Landon have done an incredible job this season, and they’re going to be big contributors before their careers end. I’m really proud of them.”
Tanner Daniels led Harlan’s boys, winning with a time of 16:30.12. Dylan Cox (27th) finished with a time of 21:20.34. Xavier Farley placed 38th with a time of 23:42.50.
“Our high school boys performed well,” Lindsey said. “Tanner, Dylan and Xavier battled their way to strong finishes.“
Harlan County’s girls elementary team also had a strong performance, winning with 25 points. Harlan placed second overall with 43 points.
Lillie Carver won the girls elementary race with a time of 10:10.50 to lead Harlan County. Ella Brock finished sixth with a time of 10:50.00. She was immediately followed by Krislyn Clem (11:20.50) and Bella Burkhart (11:29.01). Other finishers were Alysia Johnson (12th, 11:32.52), Lakynn Clem (13th, 11:39.04), Sadie Shackleford (16th, 11:44.00), Ellianna Carver (21st, 12:32.00), Kadie Lawson (22nd, 12:36.00), Isabella Burkhart (27th, 13:00.34), Paisleigh Asher (30th, 13:29.90), Landri Dagnan (32nd, 12:39.00), Nevaeh Perkins (33rd, 13:41.00), Sawyer Millikan (34th, 13:55.04), Evva Hensley (35th, 14:15.09), Kellee Doyle (36th, 14:30.47), Kaylyn Lawson (37th, 14:32.41), Madilyn Turner (38th, 14:57.03), Charlotte Mitchell (40th, 15:24.01), Skylar Belcher (41st, 16:10.00), Emma Mitchell (42nd, 16:17.00), Rebecca Gadow (43rd, 16:52.75), Emily McKnight (44th, 17:06.12), Nevaeh Stone (45th, 17:10.04), Zoey Gadow (47th, 23:29.09) and Caroline Collins (48th, 29:59.99).
“Today was a very exciting day of racing. The elementary girls had a very impressive performance, led by Lillie Carver and followed by eight of her teammates to round out the top 25,” Harlan County elementary cross country coach Jennifer Brock said. “These girls continue to implement things we work on at practice and every week I have seen improvements.”
To lead Harlan’s elementary girls, Julianne Miller placed second with a time of 10:19.70. Cora Jones was fourth with a time of 10:45.30. Josephine Toll (14th) finished with a time of 11:40.70, immediately followed by Rebecca Adams (11:42.70). Rounding out the results were Mallory Sizemore (18th, 11:55.53), McKinley Taylor (19th, 12:12.03), Shelby Parsons (23rd, 12:37.59), Lucy Miller (25th, 12:42.15), Meredith Lawson (28th, 13:09.92), Hannah Adams (29th, 13:11.72), Amelia Hensley (39th, 15:17.00) and Rayleigh Harris (46th, 21:39.09).
Harlan’s elementary boys had a stellar performance, winning with 21 points. Harlan County placed second with 38 points.
Tucker White finished third with a time of 9:33.25 to lead Harlan. He was immediately followed by Aiden Browning (9:43.00), Braxton Sizemore (10:17.00) and Canaan Bolton (10:30.20). Rounding out the results were Kash Bailey (eighth, 10:51.50), Ben Parsons (10th, 11:00.41), Kelton Dean (11th, 11:03.24), Emmett Alred (13th, 11:06.34), Thomas Miller (15th, 11:17.20), Andrew Alred (20th, 12:07.50), Ashwin Ghanti (26th, 12:50.53), Gunner Green (32nd, 14:12.09) and Mason Howard (34th, 14:19.52).
To lead Harlan County, Hutton Sherman won with a time of 9:00.75. Tate Sherman (10:42.52) and Jace Hensley (10:55.24) finished seventh and ninth, respectively. Other finishers were Levi Hensley (12th, 11:05.00), Deacon Lisenbee (16th 11:22.30), Seth Johnson (17th, 11:33.44), Dalton Johnson (19th, 11:41.47), Jonah Sargent (21st, 12:13.04), Hunter Evans (24th, 12:47.72), Skylar Boggs (25th, 12:50.34), Mitchell Lunsford (27th, 13:05.00), Eli McKnight (28th, 13:06.00), Jace Howard (30th, 13:29.04), Zakk Collins (31st, 14:01.15), Corben Snelling (33rd, 14:15.50), Jase Sargent (35th, 14:30.50) Jordan Sargent (36th, 14:33.47), Brayden Perkins (37th, 15:02.22), Jonah Doyle (38th, 15:40.02), Stephen Collinger (39th, 16:22.04), Micah Lawson (40th, 16:25.72) and Oliver Hensley (41st, 17:35.00).
“The elementary boys worked hard today, led by Hutton Sherman and followed by nine of his teammates in the top 25,” Brock said. “They fell shy of the win to a very talented Harlan team. I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids or parents. These young runners put in the work and show continuous improvement. The parents are so helpful and supportive. I just love being a part of this program.”
Harlan County’s boys middle school team won with 27 points.
Braxton Duncan placed seventh with a time of 11:19.06 in the boys middle school race to lead Harlan County. Robby Johnson (12th) finished with a time of 12:05.15. Jayden Sargent was 14th with a time of 12:14.00, immediately followed by Jackson Mackowiak (12:40.72). Eli Nolan finished 23rd with a time of 14:49.03.
“Braxton, Robby and Jayden had great races. Jackson has done a great job of balancing football with CC, and I can’t say enough good things about Eli and how far he’s come this season,” Vitatoe said. “I’m proud of these boys and I really hope they stick with it in high school.”
Harlan’s Cooper Thomas finished third with a time of 10:53.34 in the boys middle school race.
Priscilla Stewart won the girls middle school race with a time of 12:19.04 to lead Harlan. Zoe Lawson was fourth with a time of 13:50.00. Shelbee Miller (21:19.41) finished eighth.
“Our middle school runners also make us so proud. Cooper, Zoe and Priscilla are some of the hardest working members of our team,” Lindsey said. “Their competitive drive is unmatched. We are so excited to see how they will continue to grow in future years. Shelbee Miller had the opportunity to run the middle school course on Saturday as well. She was a little intimidated by the increased distance as a new runner, but rose to the task. We are proud of her improvements this season.”
Julionna Johnson finished second with a time of 12:29.91 in the girls middle school race to lead Harlan County. Lexi Boggs was fifth with a time of 14:12.22.
“The middle school girls ran great today as well,” Vitatoe said. “JJ (Julionna) had a great race. She’s balanced CC with basketball, but she’s got a bright future. I’m really proud of Pip (Lexi) and how much she’s improved this season. She’s going to be big for us down the road. We were missing Ace (Aiselyn) today, but these girls have had a great season.”
——
The Area 9 Championship ran simultaneously with the Bob Howard Memorial Invitational.
“The Area 9 race is a competition we look forward to all season,” Lindsey said. “There is always a great atmosphere and strong competitors for our runners.”
The Bears claimed their 13th consecutive district title. The Lady Bears won their fourth straight title and secured another perfect score.
“Today was an excellent day of competition. This is a special meet for us to honor Coach Howard and all he did for the running community, as well as the chance to win district championships,” Vitatoe said. “I appreciate all the help from our team parents and volunteers. They always go above and beyond and it makes our meets go so well.”
“What else can you say about (the boys’) performance? This was a highly competitive meet and to sweep both races is a great accomplishment for these boys,” Vitatoe said. “North Laurel has a fantastic team, and I thought we battled hard to win the Bob Howard Invitational. It was a great win. To win their 13th Area 9 (district) title is a huge accomplishment. I thought they were dialed in and ready to compete, and I’m really proud of how the second pack is gaining on the first. That will be critical to our success as we get toward the end of the season. I hope they recognize what an accomplishment this is. It’s a huge deal and they should be really proud of that. It’s hard to recognize any one individual because this is one of the most team-oriented group I’ve ever coached. They work so well together.
“This is a big win (for both races). The girls capturing their 13th district championship in our 16th season is a huge accomplishment. They also ran hard against some very good teams to win the Bob Howard Invitational. This was a good day.”
Harlan County’s elementary girls won. The elementary boys were runners-up.
Harlan’s elementary boys won, while the girls finished as runners-up.
“We are so proud of our elementary runners and the progress they have made this season. They have matured as individual competitors and as teammates,” Lindsey said. “They encourage and push each other in practice and in race day. I think this dedication and hard work really showed for them on Saturday. They’ve had several successful team races for both girls and boys to culminate their cross country season.”
Harlan County’s middle school boys won as well.
“I thought the middle school kids ran great as well,” Vitatoe said. “I’m super proud of them for sweeping the Bob Howard and the Area 9 meets. These guys keep getting better every single meet and I’m proud of their progress.”
Harlan County’s Peyton Lunsford won the girls varsity race, immediately followed by Gracie Roberts, Lauren Lewis, Kiera Roberts and Preslee Hensley to claim a perfect score. Lillie Carver won the girls elementary race. Hutton Sherman won the boys elementary race.
Harlan’s Tanner Daniels won the boys varsity race. Priscilla Stewart won the girls middle school race.
Harlan and Harlan County will return to action Tuesday at Leslie County to compete in the SEKC Championships.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished this season,” Vitatoe said. “The focus now is on the SEKC meet to close out our regular season. We need to stay focused and compete with a championship mindset.”