The Harlan County varsity and middle school cross country teams traveled to Middlesboro on Tuesday to compete in an all comers meet.
The Lady Bears won with 31 points, while the Bears finished second with 49 points.
“I thought we had some great performances. It’s been a while since we’ve raced at Middlesboro and we were excited to run here again,” Harlan County cross country coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “I’m really proud of how hard the kids competed.”
Gracie Roberts led the girls, placing third with a time of 20:44.19. Lauren Lewis (21:24.44) and Kiera Roberts (22:18.06) finished sixth and eighth, respectively. Preslee Hensley was 10th with a time of 22:27.28. Rounding out the results were Julionna Johnson (14th, 23:44.09), Ariel Farley (18th, 25:37.50), Suzy Mumford (20th, 25:49.41), Autumn Farley (21st, 26:15.35), Bella Leath (23rd, 28:30.44), Riley Witt (33rd, 30:38.19) and Lexi Adams (34th, 31:07.12).
“The girls ran great tonight. I can’t say enough about how JJ performed, and this was Lauren’s best race of the season,” Vitatoe said. “Preslee had another huge performance and Autumn just keeps getting better.
“We missed Andy tonight, but these girls brought it. They were great this evening. I think they are on the verge of a big breakthrough. You can see the confidence growing. I’m really proud of all of them.”
To lead the boys, DaShaun Smith finished fifth with a time of 18:36.28. He was immediately followed by Jacob Schwenke (18:36.49). Braxton Duncan (11th) finished with a time of 20:04.41, immediately followed by Ethan Lewis (20:05.17). Rounding out the results were Jayden Sargent (15th, 20:32.37), Robby Johnson (16th, 20:48.16). Karson Dunn (18th, 21:14.08), Kaylob Stevens (24th, 21:43.36), Ben Cochran (27th, 22:10.18), Landon Cook (41st, 25:45.06) and Aiden Jones (47th, 45:49.03).
“DaShaun had a great race tonight and he closed out the last half of the race really well. Jacob had a good race and I am really pleased with Jayden’s performance,” Vitatoe said. “We’ve been shorthanded on the boys side these last three meets and I’ve been super proud of how they’ve all stepped up.
“I thought Ben and Landon had good races. Overall I think the boys ran well. I feel like all these guys are on the cusp on a breakout. They have been working hard and you can see it coming.”
The boys placed third overall in the mixed middle school race.
Jace Hensley finished fifth with a time of 14:21.13. Brycen Saylor (14:50.38) placed eighth. Hunter Ashler was 12th with a time of 15:08.03. Uriah Roberts (27th) finished with a time of 18:40.06. Jordan Sargent placed 32nd with a time of 21:42.44.
“The middle school kids raced hard,” Vitatoe said. “Hunter and Jace ran great. Brycen keeps getting better, and I can’t say enough good things about how much Jordan and Uriah have improved. I’m super proud of them.”
Lexie Boggs (16:44.55) placed 21st in the mixed middle school race to pace the girls.
“Pip had her best race ever. She keeps getting better every week,” Vitatoe said.
“We’re coming down the homestretch of the season and now is the time to trust their training and realize there’s more in the tank,” Vitatoe said. “The consistency in their race data shows they have more to give and that’ll be our focus in these last four weeks. They’re in a place to do something special.”
The Harlan and Harlan County elementary cross country teams competed at Middlesboro on Monday.
Harlan’s elementary girls won, while Harlan County placed second.
Julianne Miller won the elementary girls race with a time of 9:27.11 to lead Harlan. McKinley Taylor placed sixth with a time of 10:52.31. Shelby Parsons (11:08.14) was 10th, immediately followed by Emily Turner (11:23.22). Rounding out the results were Lucy Miller (13th, 11:25.23), Ramsi Fields (16th, 11:43.07), Ellianna Carver (25th, 12:29.09), Brogan Bennett (27th, 12:53.09), Lily Wheeler (34th, 13:25.34), Rayleigh Hoskins (36th, 13:36.18), Amelia Hensley (46th, 14:17.51), Oakley Moody (55th, 15:10.32), Shelbee Miller (61st, 16:07.03) and Macie Lawson (62nd, 16:21.25).
“Our elementary teams had great races on Monday in Middlesboro,” Harlan elementary cross country coach Erin Alred said. “It was a great course because we were able to see the runners most of the time, and I know the parents loved that.
“Julianne Miller came out to race and took another first-place finish. She had a PR on their 2K course.”
To lead Harlan County, Ella Brock finished second with a time of 10:04.34. Bella Burkhart was fourth with a time of 10:27.22, immediately followed by Krislyn Clem (10:34.51). Rounding out the results were Kaylyn Lawson (14th, 11:29.52), Paisleigh Asher (15th, 11:40.13), Sadie Shackleford (18th, 11:47.23), Kadie Lawson (21st, 12:03.28), Isabella Burkhart (28th, 12:57.06), Ava Williams (29th, 12:59.29), Lakynn Clem (30th, 13:04.03), Brooklyn Johnson (35th, 13:31.07), Emma Mitchell (39th, 13:42.16), Rayna Edens (48th, 14:21.44), Nevaeh Stone (50th, 14:38.44), Evva Hensley (51st, 14:46.00), Emma Cooper (59th, 15:34.47), Peyton Sherman (63rd, 16:25.51), Sawyer Millikan (66th, 16:30.04), Emily McKnight (67th, 16:33.29) and Luna Edens (78th, 22:49.28).
“Monday’s race was everything I hoped it would be. Middlesboro’s course is very flat and fast and our runners took advantage of it,” Harlan County elementary cross country coach Jennifer Brock said. “The girls placed second, missing top honors by just one point. Ella, Bella and Krislyn led our girls, all finishing in the top five. It was a very exciting night.“
Harlan County’s elementary boys won, while Harlan placed second.
Hutton Sherman led Harlan County, winning with a time of 8:31.28. He was immediately followed by Tate Sherman (9:10.42) and Conner Banks (9:17.02). Dalton Johnson was ninth with a time of 9:42.23. Rounding out the results were Levi Hensley (13th, 9:49.22), Jonah Doyle (14th, 9:54.07), Zack Daniels (24th, 10:35.39), Jonah Sargent (26th, 10:49.07), Jett Lee (27th, 10:53.46), Skylar Boggs (39th, 12:12.46), Jaxon Mclain (42nd, 12:31.00), Eli McKnight (43rd, 12:32.06), Aiden Edens (50th, 13:14.11), Jase Sargent (52nd, 13:19.42), William Howard (62nd, 14:18.36), Oliver Hensley (63rd, 14:21.52), Finn Millikan (69th, 14:32.00) and Michael Edens (78th, 17:56.17).
“The elementary boys won their race with Hutton, Tate and Conner taking the top three spots,” Brock said. “Everyone ran so well and I feel that it was a great opportunity to prepare for next week’s regional competition. These kids represent Harlan County Schools so well with grit, determination and amazing sportsmanship. I’m honored to be their coach.”
Trenton Turner paced Harlan, placing fourth with a time of 9:22.11. Braxton Sizemore (seventh) finished with a time of 9:30.46. Ben Toll (9:47.14) and Kash Bailey (9:55.00) were 12th and 15th, respectively. Rounding out the results were Tyler White (16th, 9:55.13), Aiden Browning (18th, 9:59.23), Xander Owens (21st, 10:17.30), Canaan Bolton (22nd, 10:25.52), Jess Bennett (29th, 11:03.07), Emmett Alred (33rd, 11:14.31), Jason Mills (40th, 12:19.49), Mason Howard (45th, 12:56.55), Weston Simpson (48th, 13:06.11), Raylan Simpson (54th, 13:36.29), Liam Cook (55th, 13:37.13), Eli Brock (60th, 14:01.33) and Sherman Ward (61st, 14:05.30).
“Trenton Turner and Braxton Sizemore both had PR times on their 2K course,” Alred said. “They are great leaders for our young boys.
“I’m proud of our young runners. They impress me every day. They have grit and determination, and I love being a part of their journey. The Harlan Dragons cross country team has a bright future ahead of us!”
Harlan County’s next meet will be Saturday at Louisville for the Louisville XC Classic.
Harlan will compete again Saturday at Somerset for an invitational meet