The Harlan County track team competed in an all-comers meet at North Laurel on Tuesday. The Lady Bears finished third overall with 88 points. The Bears placed fifth with 73.50 points.
“I’m proud of our kids tonight. We ran a scaled back lineup and shifted kids around in some different events, as well as holding some kids out to heal, but I thought we competed hard,” Harlan County track coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “This was a highly competitive meet and I think it says a lot about our kids to branch out and do different things when going against such a good field of teams.“
Madison Daniels led the girls, winning pole vault.
“I thought Madison Daniels had a good night,” Vitatoe said.
Aliyah Deleon placed 10th in the 100-meter dash. Jaylee Cochran was 14th. Makenna Dillman finished 20th.
Cochran placed sixth in the 200-meter dash. Jaycee Simpson was 12th.
In the 400-meter dash, Peyton Lunsford finished fourth. Lauren Lewis and Simpson placed sixth and ninth, respectively.
Lunsford was fifth in the 800-meter run. Lewis finished 11th.
In the 1,600-meter run, Kiera Roberts placed fourth. She was immediately followed by Gracie Roberts. Suzy Mumford was 14th.
“Kiera also had a big night for us,” Vitatoe said.
Gracie Roberts was third in the 3,200-meter run. Mumford placed sixth.
“I thought Gracie took a good step forward in returning from her injury. The same can be said for Lauren,” Vitatoe said.
Ashton Evans finished sixth in the 100-meter hurdles. Trinity Jones was eighth.
In the 300-meter hurdles, Evans placed 10th. Preslee Hensley was 12th, while Jones finished 14th.
“Ashton, Preslee and Trinity keep improving in the hurdles,” Vitatoe said.
Aiselyn Sexton and Riley Witt were 25th in long jump.
Jones placed 10th in high jump.
Sexton was seventh in triple jump.
Jones placed fourth in pole vault.
“Trinity had a big night in the pole vault,” Vitatoe said.
In shot put, Addyson Caldwell was third. Ali Hensley and Addison Day placed fourth and eighth, respectively.
In discus, Day was eighth. Caldwell placed 14th, while Ali Hensley was 19th.
“Our throwers keep improving each meet,” Vitatoe said.
Daniels, Dillman, Cochran and Deleon placed third in the 4 x 100-meter relay.
Cochran, Simpson, Deleon and Addi Gray finished fifth in the 4 x 200-meter relay.
“Our girls in the 4×100 and 4×200 keep chipping away at their time each week,” Vitatoe said. “They are getting stronger and it’s fun to watch.”
In the 4 x 400-meter relay, Simpson, Lewis, Lunsford and Preslee Hensley were sixth.
In the 4 x 800-meter relay, Lewis, Lunsford, Preslee Hensley and Kiera Roberts placed second.
“I thought the girls had a good night. I’ve been waiting on the 4×800 to have a breakout, and it finally happened this evening,” Vitatoe said. “They are a talented bunch, and they aren’t going to struggle too long.”
Kaden Boggs won the 1,600-meter run to lead the boys. Caleb Schwenke won the 3,200-meter run. Jayce Brown won pole vault.
“Caleb Schwenke picked up his first win in the 3,200, and Kaden Boggs had another big night,” Vitatoe said.
Ray Splawn was 22nd in the 100-meter dash. Gage Bailey placed 26th. Ethan Simpson finished 30th.
In the 200-meter dash, Bailey finished 16th. Splawn and Simpson were 20th and 22nd, respectively.
Luke Kelly placed fourth in the 400-meter dash, breaking his school record.
“Any time you can break a school record, it’s a good night,” Vitatoe said. “I’m proud of Luke for his 400 time. There’s not an event that he couldn’t do well. He’s super talented.”
Jacob Schwenke finished fourth in the 800-meter run. Trevor Farley was 19th.
Farley placed 14th in the 1,600-meter run. Kaylob Stevens finished 23rd.
In the 3,200-meter run, Jonavan Rigney placed fourth. Braxton Duncan was eighth.
Drew Sergent finished sixth in the 110-meter hurdles. Cayden Craig was ninth.
In the 300-meter hurdles, Drew Sergent placed 10th. Cayden Craig finished 12th. Jaxton Miller was 21st.
In long jump, Bradley Brock placed ninth. Caden Craig was 20th. Evan Simpson placed 25th.
Rydge Lewis was ninth in high jump.
Brock was ninth in triple jump. Caden Craig and Evan Simpson placed 13th and 15th, respectively.
Brock placed seventh in pole vault.
In shot put, Peyton Jackson was third. Brayden Clay and Alex Greene were 12th and 17th, respectively.
Greene was sixth in discus. Clay placed 25th, while Hunter Stevens was 34th.
“Our throwers and jumpers keep getting better,” Vitatoe said. “We’re rounding into shape here in the last month.”
In the 4 x 100-meter relay, Sam Carr, Braylee Kazy, Landon Cook and Braxton Cornett were 14th.
In the 4 x 200-meter relay, Bailey, Lewis, Kelly and Ethan Simpson placed seventh in the 4 x 200-meter relay.
Bailey, Kelly, Ethan Simpson and Jacob Schwenke finished fifth in the 4 x 400-meter relay, setting a new school record.
“I am super proud of those guys in the 4×400. They went to the line with the goal to break the record, and they ran like it,” Vitatoe said. “That’s an impressive time and puts them among the best in KY.”
Boggs, Luther Gross, Caleb Schwenke and Jacob Schwenke finished second in the 4 x 800-meter relay.
“We had a big day in the 4×800 as well, narrowly missing the school record,” Vitatoe said. “I want to give Luther Gross his props for subbing in and performing great.”
“We are getting better across the board,” Vitatoe said. “We just have to keep working and make the final push toward the championship part of the season.”
Harlan County’s next meet will be Saturday at Somerset for the Lake Cumberland Classic.