The Harlan County track team had an impressive showing Saturday at Somerset in the Lake Cumberland Classic.
“I’m so proud of these kids for their performance today. The Lake Cumberland Classic is one of the longest running, iconic invitationals in our part of the state, and we were excited to participate,” Harlan County track coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “We’ve missed it the last several years, as it typically falls on our prom date – so I was very excited when I saw in December that it was clear for us to participate.”
The boys won their division, finishing with 170 points, 71 points ahead of Somerset. The girls placed second overall with 112.50 points, 17.5 points behind Leslie County.
“Both of these teams were lights out today and I’m proud of their effort. They’ve really dialed up the intensity in the last few weeks and it’s translating into their performances on meet day,” Vitatoe said. “It’s exciting to watch, and it speaks volumes of their hard work and the work of the coaching staff.”
To lead the Bears, Luke Kelly won the 100-meter dash. Kaden Boggs won the 1,600-meter run. Jayce Brown won pole vault.
“This is a huge win for the boys. When I think back over the years to some of the biggest regular season wins we’ve had, this one is near the top,” Vitatoe said. “This is a highly competitive, and such a well known meet. I’m just really proud of them.
“Kaden Boggs had an incredible day today. He’s really came on in the last few weeks, and I’m proud of him.”
Kelly, Gage Bailey, Ethan Simpson and Ray Splawn won the 4 x 100-meter relay.
Boggs, Elijah Moore, Caleb Schwenke and Luther Gross placed second in the 4 x 800-meter relay, setting a new school record.
“The boys 4×800 had another big day, breaking the school record,” Vitatoe said. “These guys are quickly establishing themselves as one of the best in all of 2A.”
Splawn placed eighth in the 100-meter dash.
Kelly was second in the 200-meter dash. Splawn finished seventh.
Ethan Simpson finished third in the 400-meter dash. Moore was fifth.
In the 800-meter run, Moore placed second. Gross was fifth.
Caleb Schwenke finished fifth in the 1,600-meter run.
William Duncan was fifth in the freshman 1,600-meter run. He was immediately followed by Braxton Duncan.
Boggs finished second in the 3,200-meter run. Caleb Schwenke was fifth.
In the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, Drew Sergent placed third. Cayden Craig finished fifth.
Caden Craig was seventh in long jump. Bradley Brock placed eighth.
“I’m really proud of Caden Craig, who had a great performance in the long jump,” Vitatoe said.
Rydge Lewis placed fifth in high jump.
In triple jump, Evan Simpson was third. Brock placed fifth.
“Evan Simpson had a huge jump today as well,” Vitatoe said. “Coach (Bryan) Howard has done a great job developing our jumpers this season, and they’re beginning to see the benefits for their hard work.”
Brock was fourth in pole vault.
In shot put, Peyton Jackson placed third. Brayden Clay was sixth.
In discus, Jackson was third. Alex Greene placed seventh.
“Alex Greene had a good day, as did Peyton Jackson, who had a big throw in the discus,” Vitatoe said.
In the 4 x 200-meter relay, Kelly, Bailey, Lewis and Ethan Simpson finished second.
Karson Dunn, William Duncan, Jayden Sargent and Jaxton Miller were third in the freshman 4 x 200-meter relay.
“Our guys in the sprint relays were solid as well. They keep getting better every week,” Vitatoe said.
Bailey, Moore, Jacob Schwenke and Ethan Simpson finished third in the 4 x 400-meter relay.
In the freshman 4 x 400-meter relay. Dunn, Sargent, Braxton Duncan and William Duncan were second.
“We were really solid across the board, and it was a total team effort. As always, it’s difficult to give all the guys the credit they deserve,” Vitatoe said. “I’m really proud of them.”
To lead the Lady Bears, Gracie Roberts won the 3,200-meter run. Maddi Middleton won high jump.
“I’m proud of the girls as well. Anyone who’s paid attention to track and field in the mountains the last few years knows how good Leslie County is and how hard we’ve battled them. They got us today, and I tip my cap to them,” Vitatoe said. “I have a ton of respect for their program, but these girls beat some really good teams here today. Our goal is to win – we recognize that is the standard in our program, but I’m proud of their effort. They beat some great teams.
“Maddi had another big day in her jumps and picked up a win in the high jump. She just keeps getting better.”
Khloe Carr, Makenna Dillman, Aiselyn Sexton and Emily Ositis won the freshman 4 x 200-meter relay.
Aliyah Deleon finished sixth in the 100- and 200-meter dash. Jaylee Cochran was 10th in the 100-meter dash and 11th in the 200-meter dash.
Lauren Lewis placed fifth in the 400-meter dash. She was immediately followed by Peyton Lunsford.
Lunsford finished seventh in the 800-meter run. She was immediately followed by Lewis.
In the 1,600-meter run, Gracie Roberts placed fourth. She was immediately followed by Kiera Roberts.
Kiera Roberts finished second in the 3,200-meter run.
“Gracie is working herself back into racing after her injury, and I saw some flashes today that are positive,” Vitatoe said.” She and Kiera went 1/2 in the 3,200 and that was huge for us.”
Trinity Jones was fifth in the 100-meter hurdles.
Preslee Hensley placed seventh in the 300-meter hurdles. Jones finished 10th.
“Pres and Trinity have dramatically improved in the hurdles and had great races today,” Vitatoe said.
Middleton was fifth in long jump. Madison Daniels placed 11th.
Jones placed seventh in high jump.
Middleton placed fifth in triple jump. Sexton was eighth.
Daniels placed second in pole vault. Jones was seventh.
In shot put, Addyson Caldwell was third. Ali Hensley placed seventh.
In discus, Caldwell placed 10th. Addyson Day was 11th.
“Our throwers were great again today. Addy, Addi and Ali are absolutely killing it and keep climbing in the region and state rankings,” Vitatoe said.
In the 4 x 100-meter relay, Cochran, Deleon, Dillman and Daniels placed fourth.
Cochran, Deleon, Addi Gray and Jaycee Simpson were third in the 4 x 200-meter relay.
“Our sprint relays had great races and have moved themselves into the top of the region rankings in both the 4×100 and 4×200,” Vitatoe said. “They’re young, and have worked hard, and I’m proud of their development this season.”
In the 4 x 400-meter relay, Lewis, Lunsford, Simpson and Preslee Hensley placed third.
In the 4 x 800-meter relay, Lewis, Lunsford, Kiera Roberts and Preslee Hensley finished second.
“The girls 4×800 were solid again today. We are trending in the right direction with that group, and I’m proud of them,” Vitatoe said.
“We’ll have a couple of days to really hone in and work before Friday’s Area 9 meet. I like where we are currently and we have to make sure that we keep working as hard as we have been in the last few weeks,” Vitatoe said. “It’s time to get sharp as we head into the championship part of the season.”
Harlan County’s middle-schoolers will return to action Monday at Williamsburg for the UCU Middle School Meet.
Harlan County’s next meet will be Friday at home for the Area 9 Championships.