The Harlan and Harlan County elementary and middle school squads competed at Lynn Camp on Monday in the Region 13 Elementary and Middle School Championships.
Harlan County’s middle school boys won with 36 points.
“I’m so proud of all these kids today. The middle and elementary teams came to compete and it showed,” Harlan County cross country coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “Everyone was minutes faster today than the first time they raced here, and that’s a testament to their hard work this season.
“I’m so proud of these middle school boys. What a huge win this was for them, and they became the first middle school boys team to win the region. They’re a great group of kids and they’ve worked so hard. This was a special moment, and they deserve it.”
Robby Johnson paced Harlan County, placing second with a time of 11:20.39. Jace Hensley finished 13th with a time of 12:48.44. Hunter Asher was 21st with a time of 13:54.13. Brycen Saylor (15:20.42) and Uriah Roberts (17:04.51) placed 28th and 32nd, respectively. Jordan Sargent (36th) finished with a time of 18:39.96.
“Robby ran a great race. He’s been splitting his time between the middle and high school teams and has been excellent for us this season. He’s going to be a big part of our future,” Vitatoe said. “Jace has improved so much this season. I’m really proud of his growth and drive to get better. He’s such a great kid. Hunter ran great for us today. He’s such a good kid and he works hard every day. He has a wonderful attitude and it shows in all he does.
“Brycen had a good race today. He keeps improving every race, and he’s going to do big things in this sport if he sticks with it. I can’t say enough about Uriah and his progress this season. He’s worked so hard and come such a long way this season. He’s an exceptional kid. Jordan has improved rapidly this season. One thing I love about Jordan is you always know you’re getting his best. He never gives up or takes any shortcuts. I’m proud of him.”
Harlan County’s Andrea Napier won the girls middle school race with a time of 12:10.02. Lexi Boggs was 15th with a time of 16:03.44.
“Andrea ran a great race this evening. We laid out a race strategy and she ran it to perfection,” Vitatoe said. “She’s got a bright future ahead of her. This is a big win and I’m proud of her.

“I’m so proud of Lexi Boggs and her growth this season. She’s had big races, but the most gratifying thing is seeing the difference in her confidence. She’s done great.”
Zoe Lawson placed fourth with a time of 12:38.78 in the girls middle school race to lead Harlan. Priscilla Stewart (13:39.13) and Cora Jones (14:12.53) were seventh and ninth, respectively. Josephine Toll finished 11th with a time of 15:01.47.
“I love this race! Our kids look forward to this race every year and always give everything they have,” Harlan cross country coach Erin Alred said. “This year we had more standout runners.
“Our middle school runners may be few in numbers, but they don’t let that stop them from pushing themselves to achieve goals. Zoe Lawson showed up again to beat her PR from last week. She continues to improve and pushes herself to the limit each race. Priscilla Stewart concluded her middle school career with a seventh-place finish. She is a trooper and always gives everything she has with a great attitude. Cora Jones and Josephine Toll also had season PRs for a 3K.”
Harlan’s Carter White placed sixth in the boys middle school race. Aidan Burnette (12:49.52) finished 14th, immediately followed by Thomas Miller (12:56.31). Colt Sullivan was 19th with a time of 13:28.71.
“Carter White has been locked in from day one of practice, Alred said. “He finished tonight with a PR time, cutting his time down by almost two minutes from the beginning of the season.
“I am so thankful for these middle school runners, because most of the time they will run varsity to help out those teams. They never complain, always show up and will give 110% at every practice.”
Harlan’s third-grade and under girls won, while Harlan County was third overall.
McKinley Taylor finished fifth with a time of 7:50.80 to lead Harlan. She was immediately followed by Lucy Miller (8:01.11). Shelby Parsons placed ninth with a time of 8:07.00. Rounding out the results were Brogan Bennett (16th, 8:42.50), Ellianna Carver (21st, 8:57.35), Ramsi Fields (23rd, 9:01.96), Amelia Hensley (36th, 9:46.25), Lexi Laws (44th, 10:07.49), Rayleigh Hoskins (45th, 10:11.00), Lily Wheeler (50th, 10:25.86), Oakley Moody (58th, 11:06.67) and Leah Burkhart (59th, 11:09.57).
“We had three top-ten finishers in the K-3 girls race: McKinley Taylor, Lucy Miller and Shelby Parsons,” Alred said. “These girls helped their team earn a first-place trophy.”
Kaylyn Lawson led Harlan County, placing 10th with a time of 8:07.92. Sadie Shackleford finished 14th with a time of 8:35.47. Brooklyn Johnson (9:39.27) and Ava Williams (9:47.33) were 34th and 37th, respectively. Rounding out the results were Sawyer Millikan (41st, 10:03.24), Emma Mitchell (51st, 10:28.96), Emma Cooper (65th, 11:51.10), Caroline Collins (75th, 14:33.63) and Luna Edens (77th, 15:03.41).
Harlan County’s sixth-grade and under girls placed second overall. Harlan finished sixth.

To lead Harlan County, Bella Burkhart finished sixth with a time of 7:34.36. She was immediately followed by Ella Brock (7:39.08). Krislyn Clem placed 15th with a time of 8:07.07. Rounding out the results were Paisleigh Asher (26th, 8:47.23), Lakynn Clem (30th, 9:06.44), Isabella Burkhart (35th, 9:19.04), Nevaeh Stone (58th, 11:03.22), Rayna Edens (60th, 11:15.35), Evva Hensley (64th, 11:33.38), Peyton Sherman (66th, 11:40.36) and Emily McKnight (70th, 11:58.72).
Julianne Miller paced Harlan, winning with a time of 6:46.45. Emily Turner was 22nd with a time of 8:34.69. Shelbee Miller (52nd) finished with a time of 10:37.18. Dixie Vanover (11:56.89) and Macie Lawson (12:37.26) were 69th and 72nd, respectively. Addison Browning placed 77th with a time of 13:24.29.
“Julianne Miller had the run of her life for the fourth-grade through sixth-grade elementary girls race,” Alred said. “She had a standout first-place finish with a PR. Our girls get better every year and I really do believe they absolutely love this sport.”
Harlan County’s sixth-grade and under boys finished second. Harlan placed third.
Hutton Sherman won with a time of 6:07.75 to pace Harlan County. Conner Banks finished sixth with a time of 6:41.88. Levi Hensley (7:27.38) was 24th, immediately followed by Dalton Johnson (7:28.71). Rounding out the results were Jonah Doyle (29th, 7:36.86), Jonah Sargent (40th, 8:00.57), Zack Daniels (41st, 8:01.02), Jase Sargent (57th, 8:59.11), William Howard (67th, 10:02.60), Michael Edens (69th, 10:08.98) and Zakk Collins (70th, 10:17.32).
Ben Toll led Harlan, finishing ninth with a time of 6:52.52. Trenton Turner was 14th with a time of 7:01.42, immediately followed by Braxton Sizemore (7:02.00). Rounding out the results were Kash Bailey (22nd, 7:25.49), Aiden Browning (30th, 7:39.27), Xander Owens (31st, 7:41.28), Canaan Bolton (39th, 7:59.89), Kelton Dean (53rd, 8:43.72), Weston Simpson (60th, 9:17.07), Liam Cook (63rd, 9:42.22) and Eli Brock (73rd, 10:26.30).
“Ben Toll crushed it tonight with a PR for our fourth-grade through sixth-grade boys,” Alred said.
Harlan’s third-grade and under boys were fifth. Harlan County placed sixth.
Emmett Alred finished eighth with a time of 7:29.38 to lead Harlan. Tyler White (13th) finished with a time of 7:51.08. Ryder Bailey (8:23.23) and Jess Bennett (8:36.02) placed 23rd and 26th, respectively. Rounding out the results were Jason Mills (57th, 9:39.98), Raylan Simpson (62nd, 10:05.05), Sherman Ward (66th, 10:17.92), Mason Howard (67th, 10:25.61) and Gunner Green (88th, 13:03.96).
“Our K-3 boys were led by Emmett Alred with a PR. He has been a great leader for this team and has pushed all the younger runners to get better at each race,” Alred said. “One thing I love about this group of boys is that we have a different leader every race. These boys help push each other to be better and are always surprising me.
“Coaching elementary cross country is very rewarding. Watching each runner grow throughout the season and seeing them set goals and achieving them makes all the time poured into this sport worth it.”
Jett Lee placed 17th with a time of 8:08.79 to pace Harlan County. Blue Day was 50th with a time of 9:23.65. Eli McKnight (9:30.42) finished 54th, immediately followed by Jaxon Mclain (9:38.26). Rounding out the results were Mitchell Lunsford (59th, 10:02.40), Finn Millikan (68th, 10:28.69), Oliver Hensley (72nd, 10:41.68), Braxton Rigney (74th, 10:52.46), Micah Lawson (86th, 12:28.10) and Aiden Edens (92nd, 13:26.73).
“In preparation for the regional championship, we focused very heavily on teamwork. I put them into groups and asked them to encourage one another and really push each other to run their best race, and that is exactly what they did,” Harlan County elementary cross country coach Jennifer Brock said. “I had a few top runners out sick yesterday, but their teammates stepped up and filled in the gaps. Nearly every Harlan County runner improved their time from our August race at Lynn Camp. This is what we have worked for all season. I hope they are all proud of themselves, because I am so proud of them.”
“I want to commend our elementary program on a big day,” Vitatoe said. “Seeing the improvement of those kids from the first race of the season to today is impressive. Coach Brock and (David) Lee have done a great job.”
Harlan County’s elementary teams will compete again on Oct. 14 at Corbin in an all comers meet.
Harlan and Harlan County’s varsity teams will compete at Williamsburg on Oct. 14 in the SEKC Championship.