Harlan County’s elementary and middle school cross country teams traveled to Lexington to compete in the KTCCCA Meet of Champions State Championship on Saturday.
“We wrapped up our elementary cross country season today at the state meet in Lexington,” Harlan County elementary cross country coach Jennifer Brock said. “We took 19 elementary runners, competed in four races and brought home four medals.”
The fourth-grade and under girls were led by Bella Burkhart, who finished 33rd with a time of 9:51.30. Ella Brock placed 49th with a time of 10:02.46. Lakynn Clem (10:24.24) and Ellianna Carver (10:38.10) were 72nd and 80th, respectively. Payton Blackwelder was 94th with a time of 10:53.32. Peyton Sherman finished 189th with a time of 12:48.47. Nevaeh Stone (220th) finished with a time of 13:56.53. Caroline Collins (19:27.78) was 263rd.
Dalton Johnson led the fourth-grade and under boys, placing 82nd with a time of 9:49.57. Jonah Sargent (10:28.09) was 138th. Skylar Boggs finished 155th with a time of 10:40.22. Noah Blackwelder (227th) finished with a time of 11:54.64. Jase Sargent (12:33.01) finished 258th.
Lillie Carver finished 15th with a time of 13:34.44 in the girls sixth-grade and under race.
In the boys sixth-grade and under race, Brantley Burkhart placed 29th with a time of 12:52.06. Jace Hensley (69th) finished with a time of 15:06.91. Colton Hensley was 98th with a time of 16:44.89. Zakk Collins (19:55.26) and Jordan Sargent (20:18.35) finished 126th and 130th, respectively.
“The fourth-grade and under boys and girls races each had well over 300 runners and the sixth-grade and under boys and girls had over 100,” Brock said. “I love giving our kids this opportunity because they are not used to races of this caliber.
“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. 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.”
Braxton Duncan led the middle school boys, finishing 13th with a time of 15:56.63. Jayden Sargent (17:08.59) was 54th. Jackson Mackowiak placed 134th with a time of 19:40.89.
“I’m very proud of these kids for their performance at the middle school state meet,” Harlan County cross country coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “This is a huge meet and they deserve the opportunity to compete here. I thought they did a fantastic job.”
“I’m super proud of Braxton. I’ve said from early summer that he’s going to be a good one and he’s proven that to be true,” Vitatoe said. “He’s a natural and to finish in the top 15 at the state meet is a huge accomplishment.
“Jayden did a great job today as well. He had a late start to the season but he’s done great this season. I thought he competed hard today and I’m proud of how hard he’s worked this season. Landin did a great job today as well. He’s improved so much this season and this performance shows it.”
Aiselyn Sexton placed 76th with a time of 21:45.51 in the girls middle school race.
“Ace ran great today too. She’s one who has been balancing basketball with cross country all season and she’s done a great job with it,” Vitatoe said. “She’s going to be a major contributor down the road.”
Harlan County’s varsity teams will compete in the KHSAA Class 2A, Region 7 meet Saturday at home.
