By Abby Sherman
Contributing Writer

The Harlan County track team repeated as regional champions Wednesday at home in the Class 2A, Region 7 championship.
“What a great night of competition, and I’m so proud of all my kids. I thought we were dialed in and focused on competing,” Harlan County track coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “I think our final numbers are that 30 kids advance to the state championship, which is incredible. In the last three years, we’re approaching 100 kids who have competed in the KHSAA state meet for Harlan County High School.”
Both teams dominated, as the Lady Bears finished with 203 points, 110 points ahead of Bath County. The Bears finished with 176 points, 87 points ahead of Bath County.
“This was a total team effort across the board. As it typically is, it’s very difficult to give all the credit to everyone that deserves,” Vitatoe said. “These kids are fantastic. They are all about team success, and they compete that way.”
To lead the girls, Lauren Lewis won the 400-meter dash. Peyton Lunsford won the 800-meter run. Gracie Roberts won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter run. Madison Daniels won long jump and pole vault, setting a new school record in long jump. Maddi Middleton won high jump and triple jump.
“The girls had a big night,” Vitatoe said. “This is the first repeat girls regional champions since Evarts won three back in the ‘90s. Everyone chipped in and did their part to lead us to a win. I thought they were great.”
“I was so happy for the race Lauren ran in the 400. She broke out at the right time,” Vitatoe said. “That was fun to watch.
“Madison Daniels had a huge night, breaking the school record in the long jump. That mark pushes her way up in the state rankings. She also finds herself inside the top five in the pole vault.“
Daniels, Jaylee Cochran, Makenna Dillman and Aliyah Deleon won the 4 x 100-meter relay.
Cochran, Deleon, Addi Gray and Jaycee Simpson won the 4 x 200-meter relay.
“The girls 4×100 and 4×200 were fantastic, running their fastest times of the season,” Vitatoe said. “I am proud of them and anxious to see what they can do at state. Aliyah, Jaylee, Makenna, Maddie and Addi have worked hard this year. I am happy for Addi, she’s worked hard to rehab a significant injury to get back to Lexington. All those girls are great kids.”
Lewis, Lunsford, Simpson and Preslee Hensley won the 4 x 400-meter relay.
Lewis, Lunsford, Preslee Hensley and Kiera Roberts won the 4 x 800-meter relay.
Deleon finished fourth in the 100-meter dash. Cochran was seventh.
In the 200-meter dash, Cochran placed fourth, immediately followed by Deleon.
Lunsford finished second in the 400-meter dash.
Lewis was third in the 800-meter run.
Kiera Roberts placed second in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter run.
“Peyton was fantastic in the 400 and 800, and I can’t say enough about Gracie and Kiera’s work in their events,” Vitatoe said. “Those are big points when kids take first and second in the event like we did in the 400, 1600 and 3200.”
In the 100-meter hurdles, Preslee Hensley was third. Trinity Jones placed seventh.
In the 300-meter hurdles, Preslee Hensley finished third. Jones was eighth.
Middleton was second in long jump.
“Maddi Middleton was fantastic tonight as well,” Vitatoe said. “She and Maddie (Daniels) going one-two in the long jump was huge, and she killed it in the high and triple jumps.”
Jones placed seventh in high jump.
Aiselyn Sexton placed third in triple jump.
Jones was second in pole vault.
“I was super excited for Trinity to qualify in the pole vault. Seven feet for a first-year vaulter is pretty impressive,” Vitatoe said.
In shot put, Addyson Caldwell was second. Ali Hensley placed ninth.
In discus, Addison Day and Caldwell were sixth and eighth, respectively.
“I’m so proud of Addy Caldwell for advancing. She’s improved so much throughout the season, has a great attitude and works hard,” Vitatoe said.
Luke Kelly led the boys, winning the 100- and 200-meter dash. Drew Sergent won the 110-meter hurdles. Jayce Brown won pole vault. Eli Nolan won shot put.
“Luke had a huge night. He’ll head into the state meet among the favorites for the 100 and 200 titles,” Vitatoe said. “Drew was great in the hurdles. To be the regional champion in his first year is amazing. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.
“Jayce has a bit of an injury that needs time to heal before next week. It took guts and toughness to vault. He got the mark he needed and retired. He’ll be among the favorites in Lexington.”
Kelly, Gage Bailey, Ray Splawn and Ethan Simpson won the 4 x 100- and 4 x 200-meter relay.
“The boys 4×100 and 4×200 were fantastic tonight. That group of guys have worked hard. Ray was a big missing piece for us coming into the season and was a huge addition for us,” Vitatoe said. “Luke, Ethan and Gage are three of the fastest dudes around. I’m excited to see what this group does next week.”
Bailey, Jacob Schwenke, Elijah Moore and Ethan Simpson won the 4 x 400-meter relay.
Moore, Kaden Boggs, Jacob Schwenke and Caleb Schwenke won the 4 x 800-meter relay.
“The girls and boys 4×800 are ranked inside the top three heading into the state meet. It will be exciting to see them race against the best teams in the state to see what they can do,” Vitatoe said.
“All of our relays were fantastic tonight. They have swept the relay events in each of the last two seasons,” Vitatoe said. “That’s quite an accomplishment, and we’ll have the opportunity to score a lot of points in those events next week if we come ready to compete.”
Splawn placed fifth in the 100-meter dash and sixth in the 200-meter dash.
Ethan Simpson finished second in the 400-meter dash. Jacob Schwenke was sixth.
In the 800-meter run, Moore was second. Jacob Schwenke placed fourth.
“Elijah had a big race in the 800. He’s creeping up on that sub 2:00 mark and I wouldn’t be surprised if he hits it next week,” Vitatoe said.
Boggs finished second in the 1,600-meter run. Caleb Schwenke placed fourth.
In the 3,200-meter run, Boggs was second. He was immediately followed by Caleb Schwenke.
Jaxton Miller finished seventh in the 110-meter hurdles.
In the 300-meter hurdles, Sergent placed third. Miller was 11th.
In long jump, Caden Craig was sixth. Bradley Brock placed 10th.
Rydge Lewis was fifth in high jump.
Brock placed second in triple jump. Evan Simpson was fourth.
“We got big points in the jumps this evening. I thought Rydge, Caden, Evan and Brad gave us a big lift,” Vitatoe said. “We knew we needed points there and they did their job.”
Brock was third in pole vault.
“Bradley Brock had a great night in the triple jump and the pole vault,” Vitatoe said. “I’m happy for him to finish his career in Lexington.”
In shot put, Peyton Jackson was second. Brayden Clay placed fourth.
“I’m proud of Peyton getting a return trip to state in the shot,” Vitatoe said.
In discus, Jackson placed third. Alex Greene was sixth.
“I’m so proud of all these boys. I told them before the meet that no track team has ever repeated as regional champions in our county’s history,” Vitatoe said. “I’m glad this group achieved that accomplishment. It was a total team effort. So many of these guys earned PRs tonight, and that tells you they were dialed in and on a mission.”
“It’s tough to give all the credit that’s deserved for both groups,” Vitatoe said. “This accomplishment belongs to every kid in our program and they should be proud. Winning a regional championship isn’t easy. They will remember this all their lives.
“Now it becomes about whether we’re just happy to be there, or if we want to make some noise. We’ve proven in the last four or five years that we are among the state’s best individually, but all the pieces are here to finish high as a team. They have to be willing to step up their performance to another level because we’re going against the best that Class 2A offers.”