Harlan County’s cross country teams traveled to Monticello on Saturday to compete in the Cave Lake Fall Classic.
The girls varsity team placed fourth overall with 119 points. The boys placed sixth with 135 points.
“I’m proud of our teams. I thought we competed really hard in a solid field of teams. I elected to give our top seven off as we’re tapering for region and state, but this group absolutely brought it today,” Harlan County cross country coach Ryan Vitatoe said.
In the girls varsity race, Ariel Farley placed 20th with a time of 24:03.94. Autumn Farley (37th) finished with a time of 26:19.08. Sienna Banks was 47th with a time of 28:21.37, immediately followed by Bella Leath (28:41.21). Riley Witt placed 55th with a time of 30:35.99.
“The girls had a good day,” Vitatoe said. “I can’t say enough about how well Ariel ran. She has a bright future. Autumn and Bella ran great. Sienna had a big race today as well. Riley did great in her last race.
“This group has improved so much from the beginning of the season. The future is bright if they stick with it.”
Jayden Sargent finished 23rd with a time of 20:14.34 in the boys varsity race. Kaylob Stevens (20:34.44) placed 31st, immediately followed by Karson Dunn (20:34.86) and Robby Johnson (20:37.96). Rounding out the results were William Duncan (35th, 20:54.76), Ben Cochran (60th, 22:37.16), Landon Cook (77th, 24:39.12), Jaxton Miller (96th, 28:37.67) and Aiden Jones (100th, 43:17.07).
“I’m so proud of this group of boys and how well they packed up. We had five or six boys under 21 minutes. These guys are young and get lost a bit behind our upperclassmen, but they are solid and will do big things before they’re done,” Vitatoe said.
“Jayden gave us a big race today. I’m really proud of Kaylob’s race, and Karson ran really well. Robby was solid again, too,” Vitatoe said. “Will had a big race today. He was well on his way to a varsity spot before his injury. Ben did great, and so did Jaxton. These two have been nursing injuries and really wanted to finish the season. I’m really proud of them.
“I can’t say enough about Aiden. He ran nearly three minutes faster here on a much tougher course. He’s a super hard worker. Landon gave us a great effort in his final race. I’m so proud of him.”
The boys middle school team placed third overall.
“Our middle school boys competed hard today. These guys have come a long way this season and I’m really proud,” Vitatoe said.
Jace Hensley placed 14th in the race with a time of 13:47.17. Hunter Asher was 29th with a time of 16:52.88. Uriah Roberts (18:56.42) finished 31st. Jordan Sargent was 33rd with a time of 20:19.24, immediately followed by Zakk Collins (21:18.35).
“Jace had a great race. He’s going to be a good one before he’s done,” Vitatoe said “Hunter has improved a ton this season. He’s a super hard worker.
“Uriah and Jordan have been great this season and I was really proud of Zakk Collins for stepping up today. They’re a great group of boys.”
The fourth- through sixth-grade boys finished third.
In the boys fourth- through sixth-grade race, Hutton Sherman finished third with a time of 6:00.53. Tate Sherman (6:45.65) and Conner Banks (6:57.80) were 10th and 12th, respectively. Rounding out the results were Jonah Sargent (35th, 7:34.35), Levi Hensley (37th, 7:35.58), Dalton Johnson (45th, 7:44.99), Zack Daniels (50th, 7:51.01) and Jase Sargent (73rd, 9:12.52).
In the girls fourth- through sixth-grade race, Paisleigh Asher placed 37th with a time of 8:57.46. She was immediately followed by Krislyn Clem (8:59.99). Nevaeh Stone (10:29.11) finished 46th, immediately followed by Evva Hensley (10:31.99).
Jett Lee placed 16th with a time of 7:41.75 in the boys kindergarten through third-grade race. Oliver Hensley was 72nd with a time of 10:30.56. Jaxon Mclain (13:19.07) finished 91st, immediately followed by Micah Lawson (13:55.17).
In the girls kindergarten through third-grade race, Kadie Lawson finished 30th with a time of 9:27.59. Ava Williams (38th) finished with a time of 10:00.62. Brooklyn Johnson was 48th with a time of 10:51.79. Caroline Collins (12:05.75) placed 56th.
“I thought the elementary kids had a big day,” Vitatoe said. “They’ve been working hard and the improvement from their last race here is huge. They have had a great season.”
“I want to commend all these kids. Cross country is a tough sport, and unless you’ve competed you really don’t understand how difficult it is. These kids have worked hard all season, and I’m so proud of their improvement. I hope they feel proud of themselves,” Vitatoe said.
Harlan County’s varsity teams will return to action Saturday at Morgan County for the Class 2A, Region 7 meet.