The Harlan County Lady Bears showed their regional supremacy Saturday as they made their way to their third straight Class 2A Region 7 championship. This also marks the sixth regional title of the girls’ program.
The girls followed the boys’ example, with six runners posting top-10 finishes, running the fastest performance of the girls’ program’s history.
“This was a stellar performance for our girls. To have the top five under 21 minutes is an incredible accomplishment. They were locked in and ready to compete from the gun, and these results show it. We’ve been super consistent all season long, and I knew the breakthrough was coming. Six of the top eight runners were from Harlan County, and that is exceptional. It was a total team effort, and I’m just so proud of all of them. They were ready to roll.”
Gracie Roberts won with a time of 19:38.04, setting a new school and meet record and becoming the second girl in county history to run under 20 minutes.
“Gracie was incredible today. She’s been chasing that sub-20:00 mark all season long, and I knew it was coming today,” Vitatoe said. “We made some adjustments in her start, but mostly we spent a lot of time talking about trusting the work she’s done and to stop thinking about time and focus on the work she’s done. She looked so strong today, and she closed the second half out so well. She joins a long line of girls from our program to win a regional championship, but to do it while breaking the school and meet record is special.”
Roberts was immediately followed by Lauren Lewis (20:25.09), Kiera Roberts (20:31.78) and Andrea Napier (20:43.57). Preslee Hensley finished sixth with a time of 21:38.22. Julionna Johnson was eighth with a time of 22:52.94. Suzy Mumford placed 13th with a time of 24:23.15.
“Lauren had a huge race. She’s one of the most naturally gifted runners I’ve ever been around, let alone coach. She really ran to her potential today and was super focused,” Vitatoe said. “I thought she was fantastic and she really did a great job of not letting up. It was the most complete race she’s run in her career. She was great today.
“Kiera had a big day, and she looked so confident throughout. It’s been a lot of fun watching her grow as a runner this season. She’s gained so much confidence throughout the year, and she put it all together today. I’m so proud of her.”
“Andrea was lights out today, and she’s done such a great job of stepping in and filling a varsity spot this season,” Vitatoe said. “It was her best race of the year, and to PR by nearly two minutes at the regional championship speaks to the type of competitor she is. She did great.
“Preslee had a great day today too, setting a new PR. She’s been so important to us this season in how she’s set the tone for the girls, and I thought she closed out her race really well. What I love about her is that she immediately told me she can do more next week. That’s the kind of leader she is. I’m really proud of her.”
“JJ was great today and set a huge PR. It’s been gratifying to watch her confidence grow this season, but also to see her begin to buy into the sport more and more as the season went on,” Vitatoe said. “She was fantastic today, and I’m so proud of the race she ran. She ran a 90 second PR in the regional meet. That says a lot about how dialed in she was.
“Suzy had a great day today too and ran a near minute PR. She has worked so hard this season, and I’m tickled that she earned the opportunity to compete in the regional meet. She ran great today.”
“Both of these performances prove that these teams are among the best in the state. I told them after the meet to enjoy the next 24 hours, but then it’s time to get focused on next week’s state meet,” Vitatoe said. “We know that we can be competitive, but we’ll have to be locked in this week and focused on the task at hand. As great as this accomplishment is, we can still do more. We just have to want it.”