After a dominant 2024 season, Harlan County cross country coach Ryan Vitatoe is very optimistic for the 2025 season.
“Despite heavy losses due to graduation, we return a solid core of kids to both teams. The core group is here that can allow us to continue to be successful at the regional and state levels, but our veterans need to build on the great lessons the last seniors passed on,” Vitatoe said. “Leadership and setting the example are critical to team success, and we have a great group of kids who will continue to lead this group. The philosophy continues to be individual success based on how it helps our team. Be fast, but be fast for us. It’s about all of us, and if one succeeds, we all succeed.
“I’m also very pleased with the number of new kids we have out this season. We are currently
pushing 50 at the middle and high school levels, and I’m very excited about the future of the program. The coaching staff and I worked extremely hard this summer to recruit kids to be part of the program, and I’m happy so many have chosen to do so. We have a very solid foundation, and there’s a lot of enthusiasm and positivity around the program, which is something we work hard to facilitate. There is a lot of raw talent in this group of newcomers, and the veterans have been showing them the way. We have  the opportunity ahead of us to have a great year. The thing we’ve discussed in the summer is that what’s happened the past few years has nothing to do with this season. We have to work hard to earn our own accomplishments, and they’re doing a great job so far.”
“The girls come into the preseason ranked fourth in AA (per MileSplit). We’re obviously coming off back-to-back incredible seasons, and this core group understands the work and sacrifice it takes to continue that trend,” Vitatoe said. “We return four of our top seven girls from last season, and they have looked great in practice thus far.”
Returning varsity runners on the girls squad are senior Preslee Hensley and sophomores Lauren Lewis, Gracie Roberts and Kiera Roberts.
“Preslee is in midseason form already, and I can’t say enough about her leadership. She’s the glue for our team so far this summer,” Vitatoe said. “Lauren has come into the season in incredible shape and looks the strongest she has in her career. Gracie had a significant injury in the spring, and I think she’s fully healed and running great. Kiera has looked very strong throughout the preseason, and I’m finally seeing the confidence from her that I knew was in there.
“These four have done a great job of setting the example and are providing tons of leadership for the rest of the crew.”
Returning senior Suzy Mumford and freshman Julionna Johnson are expected to play big roles.
“Suzy Mumford has looked great this summer. She was just outside the top seven last year and is working hard,” Vitatoe said. “I can’t say enough about the work that Julionna Johnson has done so far this summer, and they’ll both be in contention for a varsity spot.”
Softball standout Alexis Adams, a junior, is also anticipated to perform well this season.
“Lexie Adams is running for us and is one of the best athletes in our school,” Vitatoe said.
Vitatoe has high expectations for his younger athletes as well.
“Andrea Napier is a big addition for us and will have a good shot at varsity as a seventh grader. Kaylee Kelly has been a big addition and is getting better each day,” Vitatoe said. “We’ve added some great freshmen who will have a chance to contribute at the varsity level. Brianna Barrett, Sienna Banks, Bella Leath, Ariel Farley and Addasyn Pace have all done great this summer. I’m very excited that Autumn Farley is back out with us, and Alice (Gross) and Riley (Witt) have been great so far this summer.”
“Each of these girls will have a good chance at making the varsity team,” Vitatoe said. “We also have several middle school girls who have done great so far this summer – Kenadie Dunn, Lexie Boggs, and Destiny Woodard have been working hard.”
“I am very excited for the group of girls we have. This will be a fun team to watch develop,” Vitatoe said. “We have some solid talent, but they’ll have to be patient and continue to work hard toward their breakthrough.”
“Last season was the best season of cross country for any school in HCPS history with a top-five finish in the Class AA state championships. We were incredibly deep last season and have a great core of guys returning from that team, despite graduating five of our top seven guys,” Vitatoe said. “They enter the season ranked 10th in AA (per MileSplit) and it’s on our senior class to step up and lead us throughout this season. They definitely had a wonderful example of that last year, and I know they’ll do a great job for us. As it’s been in the last few years, we will focus on the pack mentality. With the guys we have returning, plus a huge influx of new guys, I have no doubt we’ll be competitive again this season.”
On the boys side, returning varsity runners are seniors Elijah Moore and Jacob Schwenke.
“Elijah Moore returns as one of our top seniors who has finished in the top two individually at the regional level the past two seasons,” Vitatoe said. “Jacob Schwenke has entered this season in the best shape of his career and has really been vocal with our guys this summer.”
Seniors Christopher Johnson, Ethan Lewis, DaShaun Smith and Landon Cook are expected to be key contributors this season.
“Christopher Johnson is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever had, and I fully expect him to make a big jump this season. I’m very excited about Ethan Lewis returning to our program in his senior year. He grew up in the program before taking a break, and he’s been in the front group all summer,” Vitatoe said. “I can’t say enough about the summer that DaShaun Smith has had. I’ve never seen him so focused. He’s set a great example for the younger guys with his work. Landon Cook also looks as strong as he’s ever looked, and is running great splits in practice. This group will be critical to our success.”
Vitatoe will also rely on big performances from his younger athletes.
“We have a great crop of young guys who will contribute and compete for varsity spots,” Vitatoe said. “Braxton Duncan made big strides last year and will be in the mix. I’m thrilled with the work Will Duncan has done this summer, he’s going to be a big addition for us. Kaylob Stevens has worked hard all summer and looks stronger than he ever has. Jayden Sargent has also made a big jump this summer and Landin Blackwelder looks like a completely different runner this summer. Jaxton Miller has also made big strides this summer. Trevor Farley and Luther Gross, who play multiple sports in the fall season, will be big for us.”
“I’m so thrilled with our new guys. We’ve picked up a lot of new kids this year who are already making big impacts in summer practice,” Vitatoe said. “Hayden Adams, Gabriel Bailey, Ben Cochran, Karsen Dunn, Aiden Jones and Braxton Hubbard have been lights out. Several of this group will be in
contention for varsity spots, and that’s really exciting. When you have 15 to 20 guys battling in practice every day for seven spots, it increases the level of intensity.”
“We also have a solid group of middle school guys this year who will form a competitive team. Robby Johnson, Brycen Saylor and Jordan Sargent have grown up in the program. It’s been fun to watch their effort levels grow throughout the practice season,” Vitatoe said. “Jace Hensley and Hunter Asher have been great all summer, and I’m so proud of the progress Uriah Roberts has made this summer. I wouldn’t hesitate to throw any of these guys into the varsity lineup. I know they’d give their absolute best.”
Vitatoe has high expectations for the elementary program as well.
“We continue to have big numbers at the elementary level with 55 total runners on the roster. The program is growing, and I’m thrilled with the work that coach (Jennifer) Brock is doing to get kids interested in the sport,” Vitatoe said. “She’s returning several from the past few seasons, and the program continues to grow.”
“I think all the pieces are here to continue to be competitive at the regional and state levels. The focus will be on teamwork and togetherness, and setting the bar high. We spend a lot of time talking about living where your bar is. You can’t expect to accomplish great things in sports (or life) if you’re not willing to change the expectations you have for yourself. As you change and grow, so should your bar. That’s how you succeed,” Vitatoe said. “It’s also critical that we’re in this journey together. That’s been the theme the last few seasons, and it’s served us well. I think by the end of the year, you’ll see two very solid teams. If we’re all working for each other and building together as a team, everything else takes care of itself. I’m looking forward to another great year regardless of the outcome.”
Harlan County’s first meet will be Saturday at Corbin for the Lynn Camp Invitational.