Following both teams’ highest finishes in school history at the state meet last year, the Harlan County Black Bears are expected to match that performance Saturday at Lexington as they compete in the KHSAA cross country state championship.
Harlan County is going to the state meet after a successful regional meet last weekend, winning regional titles on both the boys and girls sides. This meet ranked the girls third and the boys seventh in Class 2A.
Now, coach Ryan Vitatoe expects his team to make some noise on Saturday.
“I’m excited about the opportunity that’s in front of these kids this weekend. They’ve worked really hard and have put themselves in the position to have a very high finish on both sides,” Vitatoe said. “The girls are coming into this meet ranked inside the top three and the boys are ranked inside the top seven. Both teams have been ranked in the top five for the biggest part of the season, and they should be very competitive. I think they’re battle-tested and they understand that it’s going to take everything they have to make history. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the course and strategy this week, hopefully, we’ll be ready to execute on Saturday.”
The Lady Bears finished second overall in the state meet last year.
“The girls have a good opportunity ahead of them. They have the experience from last year’s meet and they’ve run against some great competition this season,” Vitatoe said. “They appear to be running their best here in the last three weeks of the season, and they had a great performance at the regional meet. They’re going to have to be focused and dialed in, and they have to understand going in that they’ll have to hurt to make it happen. It’s highly possible that we could have several inside the top 25 if we run well. The goal has to be that our first five or six are within the top 30 – 40 finishers, and I think that’s doable.”
Peyton Lunsford is expected to be a key contributor Saturday.
“Peyton has had great success in the state meet,” Vitatoe said. “She’s medaled in the last two seasons and she understands what needs to be done. I think she has a great chance to finish inside the top five if she competes at her best.”
Gracie Roberts is expected to run well.
“Gracie will have a chance to be inside the top 15 (or better) if she runs how she’s capable of running,” Vitatoe said. “She’s grown a lot in the last year and she’s much stronger. I think she’s primed to have a big run.”
Lauren Lewis is expected to make a strong showing.
“Lauren has really come on in the last few weeks,” Vitatoe said. “She’s such a hard worker and she’s running her best at the right time. She’s going to have a chance at a top-20 finish. She’s just got to embrace the section of the race that she typically struggles in.”
Kiera Roberts is expected to finish high.
“Kiera is a completely different runner than she was at state last year,” Vitatoe said. “I look for her to have a big race and to have a high finish.”
Preslee Hensley is anticipated to play a big role.
“I’ve challenged Preslee quite a bit in the last two weeks of the season,” Vitatoe said. “She had her best race of the season at the region on a tough course. We’ll need that from her again this weekend.”
Aliyah Deleon is expected to finish strong.
“I’m really excited for Aliyah to enter the state meet healthy,” Vitatoe said. “This is her first opportunity to compete at state after a full season of training, and I think her last race will be her best one.”
Jaycee Simpson is predicted to run well.
“Jaycee has had a great season. I’ve mentioned that she’s been balancing basketball and CC and has done a great job,” Vitatoe said. “She’s running really well and I look for a big performance on Saturday.”
Vitatoe also acknowledged the alternate members on the girls team: Suzy Mumford, Aisleyn Sexton and Madison Daniels.
“I appreciate Suzy, Ace and Maddie, and I have no doubt all three of them will be ready if called upon,” Vitatoe said. “Suzy has improved so much this season and she’s going to be a big contributor before her career ends. The same thing can be said for Ace. She’s done great this season, and I’d have no hesitation to put her on the line. Maddie has done fantastic this season and I’m proud of her for branching out and trying something new. I appreciate all three of these girls.”
The Bears placed 10th in the state meet last year. The highest finish for a boys team in county history is ninth, accomplished by Evarts High School in 1994. Vitatoe was a member of that team and believes his group has a chance to beat that record.
“The boys have a great chance to set a record for the highest finish at the state meet for a county school,” Vitatoe said. “They pack so well and that’s going to be the key to a good finish on Saturday. We have to keep each other in sight and move together. That will be the key to success. I’m proud of them; a lot of people had written them off coming into the season and they’ve put themselves in a position to be one of the best teams to ever do it in our county’s history. I’m just really proud of them. They have a great opportunity in front of them and we could come out of the state meet with several in the top 50.”
Kaden Boggs is expected to play a big role Saturday.
“Kaden has had a great senior year and he’s set himself up for a big performance on Saturday,” Vitatoe said. “He’s competed in the state meet three or four times already, so he knows what to expect and he should be ready to roll.”
Elijah Moore is predicted to finish strong.
“Elijah has killed it this season and this is his kind of course,” Vitatoe said. “He runs well on the rolling courses and I expect he’ll have a great race on Saturday.”
Jacob Schwenke is expected to have a high finish.
“Jacob has been lights out this season. Like Lige, he’s built for this type of course and he should have a good race,” Vitatoe said. “The key will be a smart start and that’s something we’ve talked about this week.”
Caleb Schwenke is anticipated to be a key contributor.
“Caleb’s tall frame is made for a course like this one,” Vitatoe said. “If he is dialed in, he can run his best race of the season at the state meet.”
Jonavan Rigney is expected to have a strong performance.
“I’m excited for Jon. He’s worked so hard and he’s waited a long time for this opportunity,” Vitatoe said. “One of the things we’ve talked about this week is staying focused on what’s put him in this position.”
Ethan Simpson is anticipated to make a strong showing.
“Ethan has been running the best in his career these last few weeks,” Vitatoe said. “I think he’s going to have a huge race on Saturday. I look for him to surprise some folks.”
DaShaun Smith is predicted to run well.
“Like Jon, DaShaun has waited a long time to get to this race,” Vitatoe said. “He’s been on the cusp of varsity the last two years and broke through this season. I’m excited for him.”
Vitatoe recognized the alternates on the boys side: Evan Simpson, Christopher Johnson and Kaylob Stevens.
“All three of these alternates could make varsity for nearly any team I’ve coached over the years, and that goes to show how talented this group is,” Vitatoe said. “Evan, Chris and Kaylob have had great seasons this year and have run some fast times. I hope they know that we aren’t at this point without them. They have made us all better.”
“The task ahead of us is a tough one, but we are more than capable. What I’ll say about both of these groups is they fully understand what it means to put their team first,” Vitatoe said. “They all have huge individual goals but their goals are focused through what we’re trying to accomplish as a team. They’re both great groups. I say it all the time, but I’m really proud of them and I feel fortunate to be their coach.”
The girls race at 12:30 p.m. and the boys run at 1:15 p.m.

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After earning a berth to compete in the KHSAA cross country state championship, Harlan’s Lady Dragons are anticipated to perform well in the meet at Lexington on Saturday.
“We are so excited to be competing at the state meet this weekend,” Harlan cross country coach Anne Lindsey said. “Our runners have worked all season preparing for this race – the culmination of their hard work and perseverance creates a very exciting atmosphere.”
Freshman Tanner Daniels is the lone competitor for the varsity boys squad.
“Tanner will be representing our boys team. He is a dedicated runner who has put in diligent work all season,” Lindsey said. “We are hoping that Tanner rises to the level of competition in this state race this week, setting a new PR and placing on the stage after the race.”
“Our girls will be represented by Abbie, Harper, Zoe and Priscilla,” Lindsey said. “This young group have continued to push and challenge themselves this season.”
Abbie Jones is expected to play a big role Saturday.
“Abbie will make her fourth state appearance,” Lindsey said. “She has been a strong leader for our team and it’s an honor to watch her compete for our school one more time.”
Harper Carmical is predicted to make a strong showing.
“Harper will be competing in state for the third time. She competed in her seventh and eighth grade years previously. Harper is focused and motivated to succeed in her sport. I know that she will rise to the occasion and push herself in the state race.”
Zoe Lawson and Priscilla Stewart are anticipated to finish well.
“Zoe and Priscilla will be competing for the first time at state. Both seventh graders, they have worked and challenged themselves this season to compete with our high school team,” Lindsey said. “They’ve made incredible strides and know this will continue for them over the course of their high school years as well.”
The girls race at 12:30 p.m., and the boys run at 1:15 p.m.