Peyton Lunsford and Kaden Boggs claimed individual regional cross country titles Saturday as Harlan County hosted the Class 2A, Region 7 regional championship meet.
The Bears secured back-to-back regional titles, with the girls achieving a perfect score and the boys finishing with 19 points.
“I’m so proud of both of these teams. I’ve said it many times, but these are two very special groups,” Harlan County cross country coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “I’m just tickled to death with how hard they competed. It’s a big deal to win a regional championship in any sport, and they’ve now won them in back-to-back seasons. It’s a huge accomplishment and they deserve all the recognition for it. It was just a great day all the way around.”
“Peyton had a great race today and she’s won back-to-back individual titles,” Vitatoe said. “I know it was special for her to get her last one on her home course. She’s always been a hard worker and she deserves this success.
“I’m so happy for Kaden. He told me after the race that this was his first ever win in a cross country race, which was surprising to me. He immediately followed that up by saying he didn’t care where he would have finished as long as the boys won. That says a lot about him, and honestly, every single guy on this team is exactly the same way.”
Lunsford finished the girls race with a time of 20:30.57. She was immediately followed by Gracie Roberts (21:08.18), Lauren Lewis (21:33.78), Preslee Hensley (22:02.95) and Kiera Roberts (22:31.65). Jaycee Simpson finished seventh with a time of 23:09.84. She was immediately followed by Aliyah Deleon (23:23.49).
“These girls were dialed in and ready to compete. I thought they ran well and our packs were solid throughout the race. They are definitely running their best and it’s the right time in the season to do it,” Vitatoe said. “To have back-to-back perfect scores in the regional championship is pretty impressive. This is the first time we’ve had a girls team win consecutive regions, so our seniors will get out of here accomplishing another ‘first.’ I’m just really proud of them. They’re such a fun, goofy group, but when it’s time to race, they’re ready to roll.”
“I thought Gracie had an excellent race. To nearly run sub-21:00 on our course is a great performance. She competed hard and had a great finish. I was really proud of her,” Vitatoe said. “Lauren has really come on in the last few weeks and I thought she was lights out today. I’m seeing her really hone in and focus on the areas of the race that she previously struggled and it’s paying off for her. This was Preslee’s best performance of the season. I challenged her at the beginning of the week and I thought she responded well. That’s the kind of performance we need from her heading into state.
“Kiera had a great race today too! She’s grown so much this season and her best days are in front of her. She’s killing it for us, but there’s a big step coming. I know it. I’m really proud of Jaycee. She’s had a hip issue that I was worried might keep her out today, but thankfully she responded well to her treatment and was able to go. She had a fantastic race today and it will help her as she’s looking ahead to next week. Aliyah ran well today. She’s had injuries that kept her from competing in the region and state in her career and I’m very thankful she will have the chance to close her career at the state meet next week.”
Boggs finished the boys race with a time of 17:18.67. He was immediately followed by Elijah Moore (17:28.82) and Jacob Schwenke (17:55.64). Caleb Schwenke placed fifth with a time of 18:40.99. Ethan Simpson finished eighth with a time of 18:56.24. He was immediately followed by Jonavan Rigney (19:25.45). DaShaun Smith (20:58.92) was 12th.
“The boys had a great performance today and joined the 2015-16 teams as our only teams to win back-to-back regional championships,” Vitatoe said. “I thought this was a total team effort and every single one of our guys did their job to make this happen. They’re such a close-knit group and they take every competition seriously. They’re so much fun to coach.”
“Elijah had a tremendous race today. He’s such a natural runner and he’s only getting better each year,” Vitatoe said. “That’s an excellent time on a challenging course like ours. He ran awesome. Jacob had another big performance today and I thought he raced great. This is his second time in the 17s and to do it here is a huge performance. He, Lige and Kaden were absolutely solid in that first pack and we’ll need that again next week. Caleb had a good performance today, too. You know you’re always getting his best effort when he races and he’s grown so much this season. I think his best race is still in front of him. I’m proud of him.
“Ethan absolutely killed it today. He had a fantastic race and he did a great job of stepping up and filling the role we needed from him today. I thought he was lights out. He told me early in the year that 18 minutes was his goal and he’s accomplished that multiple times this season. Jon had another solid race. He’s been nursing an injury but has gotten his feet back under him. Today was a good step to know he’s ok and will be ready to roll again at the state meet. I’m proud of him; he’s waited a long time for this opportunity and I’m glad he has it. DaShaun ran well today, too. Like Jon, this is something he’s worked toward for several seasons and he deserves it. This is great experience for him and he’ll be ready to roll next week.”
“I do want to offer gratitude to all of our parents and volunteers. This was a tough feat to pull off and it took a lot of preparation to make it happen,” Vitatoe said. “When I mentioned the possibility of the super region to my parents in August, there was zero hesitation about whether or not we should do it. I’m grateful to them all. This was a big deal and they did any and everything it took to make it happen. I can’t thank them enough.
“I also want to thank the incredible coaching staff. Baili (Bailey), Jacob (Carroll), Derek (Plitt) and Abby (Vitatoe) do wonderful work with our kids and I’m grateful to have coaches who buy in to what we want to do. We’ve always been blessed with great coaches. They are wonderful to work with and they’re willing to do whatever we need for the kids. It’s all for the kids, and they get that.”
The teams will compete in the KHSAA state championship in Lexington next weekend.
“Now it becomes about whether we are just happy with this accomplishment or if both teams want to go to Lexington and try to make some noise. We definitely have the talent to do well, but we’re going to have to be focused and sharp for the entire race,” Vitatoe said. “We’ll celebrate this through the weekend and will get back to business on Monday. It’s been a great season and I’m hoping we’re wanting to keep the positive things going. We have one more box to check.”

Class 2A, Region 7
Boys team results
1. Harlan County 19, 2. Johnson Central 75, 3. Bath County 86, 4. Morgan County 89, 5. Magoffin County 131, 6. Estill County 133.
Individual results
17:18.67, Kaden Boggs, 1st
17:28.82, Elijah Moore, 2nd
17:55.64, Jacob Schwenke, 3rd
18:40.99, Caleb Schwenke, 5th
18:56.24, Ethan Simpson, 8th
19:25.45, Jonavan Rigney, 9th
20:58.92, DaShaun Smith, 12th
Class 2A, Region 7
Girls team results

1. Harlan County 15, 2. Letcher Central 60, 3. Bath County 80, 4. Morgan County 85.
Individual results
20:30.57, Peyton Lunsford, 1st
21:08.18, Gracie Roberts, 2nd
21:33.78, Lauren Lewis, 3rd
22:02.95, Preslee Hensley, 4th
22:31.65, Kiera Roberts, 5th
23:09.84, Jaycee Simpson, 7th
23:23.49, Aliyah Deleon, 8th