After winning the Class 2A, Region 7 title the past two years and coming off an impressive 2025 season, Harlan County cross country coach Ryan Vitatoe is looking for a “three-peat” for both of his squads on Saturday at Morgan County High School.
“We are excited to chase regional championships this weekend. Morgan County is one of our favorite courses to compete on and I know the kids are geared up and ready to race,” Vitatoe said. “The key now is to trust in our training and work together to accomplish the goals we set for ourselves back in July.”
Both teams are currently ranked first in the region and in the top 10 in the state.
Varsity members on the boys’ roster include Elijah Moore, Jacob Schwenke, DaShaun Smith, Ethan Lewis and Christopher Johnson, Braxton Hubbard and Braxton Duncan.
“I’m proud of the season the boys had, winning the area and conference titles. As it’s always been in this program, the focus is on teamwork and packing up to success, and this group has done an excellent job of that this season,” Vitatoe said. “They pack really well, and the improvement has been great each race. They’re a hard working group. We have another strong group of seniors who have provided great leadership throughout the season. They’ve done a great job of setting the example for the younger guys, and their impact will be felt for years after they graduate. Our success on Saturday will be based on how well we pack, and how well those packs move together.”
Moore is a favorite for the regional title, having been the runner-up the past two seasons.
“Elijah has been our leader all season, both on the course and as one of our captains,” Vitatoe said. “He will have a shot at the individual title this weekend. He’s been such an important part of our program, and what I love about him is he’d willingly trade an individual title for the team title. That’s the kind of kid he is.”
“Jacob has had a solid season. He’s ran very consistent, and I look for him to have a breakout in these last two weeks,” Vitatoe said. “Jacob is super important to our program, and I have no doubt that he’s going to be ready to give his all for his team. I know getting a third straight title is something that’s important to him.”
“DaShaun has been great this season. We’ve had a pattern in the last ten years or so of a senior having a breakout season, and he’s stepped in and done that this year,” Vitatoe said. “The main difference is his level of focus this season. He’s not just happy to be varsity, but he’s relishing the opportunity to contribute as a varsity runner.”
Ethan Lewis’ older brother, Alex Lewis, was a key member of back-to-back regional champion squads in 2015 and 2016.
“Ethan is a kid who literally grew up in this sport. He spent a lot of time as a kid around the program watching his older brother compete, and there’s all kinds of pictures from those years where he’s in with the team,” Vitatoe said. “I was thrilled that he came back to the program, and I know it’s important to him to chase a team title of his own.”
“Like DaShaun, Chris is another breakout senior. I’ve had zero doubt that he was in for a big season, as he’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached,” Vitatoe said. “There were several times during the summer months that he was out at the course getting his run in on his own. I’m not even sure if he took any time off between the end of track and the start of cross country. He’s been a great example to our team.”
“Braxton Hubbard was new to us this season, and he’s been great from the first practice of the summer. He’s a super hard worker and has done great for us this season. He had a minor injury that slowed him a bit, but it appears that’s behind him and he’s running well,” Vitatoe said. “He’s made great contributions to us as a first year kid.”
“Braxton Duncan is our youngest varsity member. As a freshman, he’s done an excellent job this season. I knew when he came out last year that he’d be a good one for us, and he’s only begun to scratch the surface of his potential,” Vitatoe said. “He can be one of the greats before it’s all said and done if he keeps working hard.”
Alternate members for the boys team are Jayden Sargent, Karson Dunn and Robby Johnson.
“We have three excellent alternates that I wouldn’t hesitate to put on the line on Saturday. This group of guys has been a joy to coach this season as a whole, and we’re very fortunate to have the depth we have,” Vitatoe said. “Jayden has made huge gains this year. He’s been focused and working hard and that’s the reason for his success. Karson had a big year for us as well in his first season of competition, and Robby has been lights out as well. This is such a strong group of guys.
“At my last count, I think we had 11 guys who have run under 21 minutes this season, and about half of them are freshmen or eighth-graders. These guys competing on Saturday, combined with Kaylob, Landon, Gabriel, Ben, Aiden and Will have been excellent. We have a bright future ahead of us if they all stick with it, and I hope the ones outside the top ten know that we wouldn’t be in this position without them. It takes all of us to be successful.”
On the girls side, varsity members include Gracie Roberts, Kiera Roberts, Lauren Lewis, Preslee Hensley, Andrea Napier, Julionna Johnson and Suzy Mumford.
“It’s been another strong season for the girls. These girls have won a lot of meets, and have beaten several schools ranked inside the 2A top five this year. They work so well together and they’re battle tested with everything they’ve accomplished in the last three years,” Vitatoe said. “They know how to win, and they rely on each other to be successful. I can tell you that senior leadership is a big reason for that.
“I can’t say enough good things about Preslee and what she means to our team. She’s such a huge part of the success we’ve had in the last four years, and our program became better just because of her presence. She’s been huge for our girls this season in every way. Suzy has had a great season and finds herself in a varsity position at region because of her hard work. She’s cut minutes off her PR from last season and has really dedicated herself to earn a varsity spot. I’m happy she’ll get the chance to run the region meet as a senior. She’s definitely earned that right.”
Sophomore Gracie Roberts is a contender for the individual title.
“Gracie’s had a huge season for us, winning the individual area and conference championships. She’s really stepped into the top position and done well for us,” Vitatoe said. “She’s been super consistent this season and I’m looking for her to be one of the favorites for the individual title. I also think she’s due for a huge breakout in the next two weeks.”
“Lauren has been incredible this season and it’s 100 percent due to the work she did in the offseason,” Vitatoe said. “I’d see her at the school nearly every evening putting the miles in, and it’s really paid off for her this season. She’s also become more vocal and stepped into a leadership role for us. She’s been great this year.”
“Kiera has been lights out this season. I’m super proud of her consistency, which was an area of growth for her coming into the season, and she’s handled it beautifully,” Vitatoe said. “She’s such a hard worker and she takes what she does seriously, and that’s why she’s successful.”
“Andrea is a huge addition to our team. She’s ran some great times this season, and has sacrificed running middle school races to race with the high school girls. She won the middle school region a few weeks back, and I’m convinced her best races are still coming this season,” Vitatoe said. “She’s going to be big for us these last couple of weeks.“
“Julionna has improved a ton throughout this season,” Vitatoe said. “It’s been gratifying to watch her become more confident and ‘bought in’ to the sport. She’s not even touched the surface of what she’s capable of.”
Alternate members of the girls squad are Ariel Farley, Autumn Farley and Sienna Banks.
“Our alternates have done fantastic this season for us. Ariel has had a great freshman year, and really came on strong at the end of the season. She’s going to be a really good one for us,” Vitatoe said. “Sienna has been great this season, too and has ran some excellent times as a freshman. I was very happy to get Autumn back this season, and I can’t say enough about the improvement she’s made.
“I’m also really proud of Bella Leath and how well she’s done this season. These four girls are three freshmen and a sophomore. If they stick with it, they’ll will do big things down the road. I’m also proud of Riley Witt and all her hard work this season. She cut nearly three minutes off her time from last year.”
“The key for the girls will be the pack mentality, and moving that pack together (and fast). We’ve talked this week (with both groups) about the importance of closing the last mile. I have no doubt that they’ll be where they should be at the two mile mark, but the difference between ‘good’ and ‘great’ is what you force yourself to in those last 1,600 meters,” Vitatoe said. “They’ve all definitely put the work in and they’re prepared for what’s ahead. Now it’s a matter of staying positive and focused on the race plan. I think both teams have a strong chance of getting region wins.”