The Harlan County track team will be chasing a “three-peat” in the regional championship Tuesday at Magoffin County in the Class 2A, Region 7 meet. 

The Bears are striving to make county history as the first boys team to win three consecutive regional track-and-field titles. The Lady Bears are seeking to make program history as the first girls track squad to win three straight regional championships since Evarts in the 1990s.

“We are very exciting about the upcoming regional meet,” Harlan County track coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “Both teams have worked very hard this season, and they are prepared for what’s to come.”

“The girls have an excellent chance to three-peat,” Vitatoe said. “We’ve had a ton of injuries this season to key people, but I’m really proud of how they’ve overcome and kept pushing forward. 

“We are very balanced on the girls side and I expect big performances across the board.”

Gracie Roberts, Kiera Roberts, Lauren Lewis and Preslee Hensley are anticipated to be key contributors. 

“Our distance group has finally moved through all the many injuries from the early part of the season. I look for both Grace and Kiera to have big days in the 3,200 and 1,600,” Vitatoe said. “Lauren looks to be among the favorites in the 400 and 800 and teamed with Pres, those three will have a good chance in the 4×800.

“Preslee has a big chance to finish high in the hurdles. She was on the cusp of a state berth last season and I’m hoping she punches through as a senior.”

Paisli Boggs, Rileigh Duff and Maliyah Washington are predicted to play pivotal roles. 

“Paisli has been great all season in the hurdles and has taken to those events as quick as anyone I’ve ever seen,” Vitatoe said. “She’ll have a big chance to finish well this week. 

“Rileigh and Maliyah have a great chance to be in the top two finishers in the long and triple jump. They have really stepped up this season.”

Ali Hensley, Addison Day and Addyson Caldwell are expected to perform well. 

“Ali, Addi, and Addy have a great chance to advance from the shot and discus. They’ve improved so much throughout the year,” Vitatoe said. 

Kenadee Sturgill, Jaycee Simpson, Makenna Dillman, Addi Gray and Macy Jones are slated to have key performances. 

“Our sprinters have a great chance in both individual and relays. Kenadee will have a great chance in the 100, and Jaycee will have a great opportunity in the 200,” Vitatoe said. “Makenna has taken a big step forward this year, and these three teamed with Addi Gray and Macy Jones have a great chance in the 4×100 and 4×200.”

Suzy Mumford and Madilynn Lemar are expected to finish high.

“Suzy Mumford and Madi Lemar have done great all season in the pole vault and will have a real chance to advance to state,” Vitatoe said. 

Jovi Tye and Vanessa Griffith are anticipated to perform well.

“Our high jump girls have stepped up and done great this season. Jovi and Vanessa have a great chance on Tuesday to finish very high.”

“We are certainly feeling the loss of Jaylee (Cochran) and Maddi Middleton this season,” Vitatoe said. “These girls are determined to step up for their teammates and try to deliver a third straight regional championship.”

“I think the boys have a real chance as a team. We lost 34 guys off last year’s team, including a state champion, so for them to be in contention speaks volumes about the work they’ve done,” Vitatoe said. 

Jayce Brown is expected to play a key role.

“Jayce considers to be among the favorites in the pole vault, having won the region the last two years and being the state runner-up,” Vitatoe said. 

Jonah Sharp, Ryan Day, Landon Cook, Jerome Monroe and Ben Cochran are predicted to perform well.

“Jonah Sharp has done an excellent job for us this season. He’ll be in contention for the 100 and 200. Ryan will finish very high in the 100 as well,” Vitatoe said. “Landon is a veteran that should perform well in the 200 and the relays, and Jerome and Ben have been great this season. This group figures to finish high in the sprint relays as well.”

Braxton Duncan, Christopher Johnson and Ethan Lewis are expected to be big contributors. 

“Our distance crew has done a great job this season. Braxton Duncan will have a chance to finish highly in the 1,600 and 3,200 and Chris Johnson and Ethan Lewis will be high finishers in the distance races,” Vitatoe said. 

William Duncan, Jacob Schwenke, Trevor Farley and Braxton Hubbard are predicted to finish high. 

“The 4×800 of Ethan, Will, Jacob, and Trevor have a great chance to win the 3,200 relay,” Vitatoe said. “Jacob will have a great chance in the 400 and 800, and Trevor Farley will too. These guys have been great all season.

“The 4×400 has a great chance, too. Jacob, Braxton Hubbard, Trevor and Ben have one of the top times in the region.”

Bryson Bryant, Caden Craig and Ashton Anderson are expected to have big performances. 

“Our jumpers have a good opportunity ahead of them as well,” Vitatoe said. “Bryson Bryant has been incredible in the high jump all season long. He will have a good chance to advance to the state meet. We’ve only had one other 6’0 high jumper since I’ve been the coach, and for him to do it in year one is amazing.

“Caden has improved so much this year and looks to go out with a big finish. Ashton has been great in the long jump this year for a first year guy, especially.”

Hunter Napier and Brayden Clay are slated to perform well. 

“Our throwers have a big chance to finish high for us on Tuesday,” Vitatoe said. “Hunter and Brayden have steadily improved all season long.”

“Seeing our boys team improve throughout the season has been very rewarding. We had nearly a total rebuild this season, and I’m really proud of where they are heading into the region,” Vitatoe said. “There’s a potential of 40 participants in a regional track meet, and we enter the region with a total of six guys that competed for last years regional championshp team and they’ve built themselves into a contender. Bath County has a veteran, very strong, athletic team, and I’m proud of the work that’s been done by this group to make themselves competitive. 

“We have so many guys who were learning their events as the season has gone on. I feel like they’ve finally arrived, and I’m excited to see how they do on Tuesday.”

Field events will start at 4:30 P.M., followed by running events at 5:30 p.m.