The Harlan County cross country team has had an exemplary 2024 season. Both teams won regional titles last weekend and are among the top five teams in Class 2A.
Coach Ryan Vitatoe credits this success to the leadership the senior athletes have provided.
“Without a doubt, this is a very special group of seniors who have made huge contributions to our program. I’m very proud of each of them and am thankful to have had the opportunity to coach them during their careers,” Vitatoe said. “Every one of these kids has been wonderful leaders throughout their time in our program and we are better because they have been with us. I can’t say enough about how much they’ve meant to our team and how fortunate we feel as coaches to know them. I feel a huge sense of gratitude for all they’ve given us. This group has set an example of ‘doing it the right way’ and because of that their fingerprints will continue to be on our program for the years to come. I could tell you stories all day about how they lift up each other and how they lift up the younger kids. I’ve heard them encourage the middle and elementary school kids to keep working, to strive to be better. That’s not common for a group of seniors, and it’s the reason that we are in the position we are in on a regional and state level. I love them and I’m going to miss them next year. I’d keep them forever if I could.”
Peyton Lunsford has ran with Harlan County for six years. She is a contender for the girls regional title and is the defending regional champion. Lunsford holds the school record in the 5K and has been named to the all-state team twice. She’s a four-time SEKC winner and a six-time district champion. She’s also a member of the track team.
“I’m so proud of Peyton. She’s accomplished so much during her six years in our program. She was a foundational piece of the puzzle in our rebuilding process,” Vitatoe said. “Obviously, I’ve known her since she was born and I’ve had the pleasure of watching her grow up, and it’s bittersweet knowing this is her last home race with us. She’s been such an important part of our program and she’s always been a team player. She chose to run varsity while in middle school to help the team rather than focusing on middle school races, and that’s the kind of kid she is. It’s been fulfilling watching her step into a leadership role this season as a senior. She’s really done a great job of leading this year and I’m proud of her. She’s going to do great things at the next level, but I know she’s really focused on the goals these girls hope to accomplish. That’s just who she is and that’s a big part of her growth during her career. I’m really proud of her.”
This is Kaden Boggs’ sixth year with the Black Bears. He is a contender for the boys regional title. He’s also on the track team and has won four regional championships.
“Kaden is such a big part of our program and has been a big piece of our development to where we are. He’s been around longer than most of our guys with him coming out in middle school and he’s really grown up in the program,” Vitatoe said. “He’s such a great story of a kid who came out to run with a friend and has become one of the best to ever run in our program. He’s a hard worker and he’s committed himself to being the best he’s capable of being. I’ll never forget his hard work as a junior high kid to perfect his running form, working for days on knee lift and turnover. Most kids at that age would have done just enough to get by, but he really dug in and worked. I knew then that he was special and he was going to be a good one. He’s meant so much to our program.”
Aliyah Deleon has been on the team for four years. Due to injuries, this is her first year competing at region and state. Deleon is also on the track team.
“Aliyah is an absolute gem of a kid. She has such a great attitude and I’m so happy for her breakout season this year. I’ve known from the beginning of her freshman season that she had incredible potential, but she’s been snakebitten by injuries in her first three seasons,” Vitatoe said. “I’m thrilled that she’s been able to stay healthy this season and has had the opportunity to show the type of runner she is. She’s a very versatile athlete and has made major contributions to our track program as a sprinter, but she’s really been able to flex her talents in cross this season. I’m going to miss her next season. I ask her all the time ‘who am I going to pick on when you’re gone?’. She’s got such a great disposition and the girls love her. She’s been a great leader this season as well. I’m really thankful we’ve had the chance to coach her.”
This is Caleb Schwenke’s fourth year running with Harlan County. He has competed in the state meet every year. He is on the track team as well.
“I’m so proud of the season that Caleb Schwenke has had. He’s so full of talent and I’m proud of how he’s put it together this season,” Vitatoe said. “He’s always been a hard worker and I can’t even begin to tell you about the type of leader he has been in our program. His leadership has been a huge part in the incredible season our boys have had this year – this guy leads by example in everything he does and we’re better for it. He strives for excellence in all he does and it’s contagious for the rest of our guys. He’s also one of the smartest runners I’ve coached. He is constantly reading and is very dedicated to absorbing all the information he can. His contributions to the program are immeasurable and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to coach him.”
Jonavan Rigney has ran with Harlan County for four years. This is Rigney’s first year running for the varsity squad and competing in the regional meet. In addition, he’s on the track team. He’s the cousin of Caleb Rigney, a former standout member of the team.
“Jon has had an incredible season, and I’m so proud of him. It seems like each year we have a senior who has a breakout season and he has done that and more. His growth in this program is unbelievable from where he started and it’s because of his grit and determination this season,” Vitatoe said. “You want to talk about growth? His first career 5K time was over 34 minutes and he has ran 18:33 this season! That’s insane! I’m so dang proud of him and it’s been so much fun watching his confidence grow throughout the year. He’s taking it much more seriously and expecting more from himself – and that is cultivated by the atmosphere that he and the other seniors have created here. I’m just so proud of him.”
Ethan Simpson has been on the team for two years. He ran varsity last year and is also on the track team.
“Evan and Ethan were two huge missing pieces that we added to our team last year. We have great kids on our team, and they added to that in a big, big way. Their contributions have been immeasurable.
“Ethan has really exploded this season. It was clear in the summer that he was fully bought in to cross country. That, with a year of experience racing, has led to a great season for him and he’s ran some super fast times. I always appreciate his serious approach to whatever we’re doing, and you know you’re getting 100 percent from him no matter what. He’s had incredible growth this season. His confidence has grown and it’s been really fun to watch that process throughout the season. I’m really proud of him. He has a steady maturity and dedication to everything he does. If he tells you he’s going to do something, he does it, and I love that about him.”
This is Evan Simpson’s second year on the team. He ran varsity last season and is also a member of the track team.
“I’m so proud of Evan and how hard he’s competed this season,” Vitatoe said. “I think of Evan as an ‘old soul’ and I mean that in the best way possible. When that dude speaks, everyone stops to listen. He’s one of the most mature kids I’ve ever coached, and he is an incredible leader. It’s not just the words he speaks, but he leads by example. He works as hard as any kid who’s ever put on HC colors and there’s zero doubt that we are a better program because he’s been part of it. He’s set an example of leadership that will be followed by the younger guys for years to come. He, along with our other seniors, has established a culture that will go on long after they’ve graduated.”
This is Madison Daniels’ first year running cross country for Harlan County. She is also on the track team and is a two-time regional champion in pole vault. In addition, she won long jump and won as part of two relays at region last season.
“I was thrilled when Maddie told me she was coming out for cross this season, and she’s done a great job on the team,” Vitatoe said. “This is a new experience for her, as she had never run distance before, and she’s improved a ton throughout the season. I’ve said for a few years that Maddie is a sneaky good athlete and she’s proven in her career that there’s nothing she can’t do, and I think that’s carried over into the cross country season. She’s a great kid who gives her best effort in everything she does and we’re lucky as coaches to have her in our programs. She makes the programs better, and I’m thankful to have her be part of what we do.”