After an impressive regular season, the Harlan County Black Bears had a strong ending to their track season on Friday as they competed in the Class 2A Track and Field State Championship at Lexington.
“I’m very proud of our kids and how they competed in the state meet,” Harlan County coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “It’s become a tradition to have the state meet in a freezing downpour, but I thought we were focused and didn’t let the conditions impact us.”
Maliyah Washington placed ninth in triple jump to lead the girls.
Kenadee Sturgill finished 20th in the 100-meter dash.
“Kenadee was great today. She was a huge addition for us and I’m excited for her going forward,” Vitatoe said.
In the 400-meter dash, Lauren Lewis was 13th. Jaycee Simpson placed 20th.
“Lauren and Jaycee were great in the 400,” Vitatoe said. “Jaycee keeps getting better every week. She’s such a good athlete.”
Lewis finished 14th in the 800-meter run.
“Lauren had a strong showing in the 800 as well,” Vitatoe said.
In the 1,600-meter run, Kiera Roberts placed 17th. Gracie Roberts finished 21st.
Gracie Roberts was 20th in the 3,200-meter run. Kiera Roberts finished 22nd.
“Gracie and Kiera had good races today, and I’m proud of them for how they’ve overcome injuries this year,” Vitatoe said.
In the 4 x 100-meter relay, Sturgill, Makenna Dillman, Addi Gray and Macy Jones were 16th.
Dillman, Gray, Simpson and Sturgill placed 17th in the 4 x 200-meter relay.
“I’m really proud of our sprinters for their work in the relays today. We had to shuffle some lineups but kids stepped up and ran great. I’m happy Addi finished her career at the state meet. We have a strong core of girls who will return next season and I’m excited about the future,” Vitatoe said.
Lewis, Simpson, Rileigh Duff and Preslee Hensley were 21st in the 4 x 400-meter relay.
Lewis, Preslee Hensley, Gracie Roberts and Kiera Roberts finished 10th in the 4 x 800-meter relay, setting a new school record.
“I’m super proud of the girls 4×800. To come up here and run a school record is a huge accomplishment. You want the best performance of the season to be the state meet, and they delivered,” Vitatoe said. “It’s hard to be upset with that type of performance, regardless of whether they medaled or not. To put it in perspective, the record they set today was faster than their time last year that was the top ranked time in 2A.”
Paisli Boggs was 15th in the 100-meter hurdles.
“I’m so proud of Paisli. To be a seventh-grader and win her heat while setting a new PR is huge. She has a big future ahead,” Vitatoe said.
Duff placed 24th in triple jump.
“The triple jumpers were great today. Rileigh and Maliyah performed great, and it’s fitting they get to end their season at the state meet,” Vitatoe said. “They both did a great job this season, and I can’t say enough about the work that David (Lee) did with his jumpers this season.”
Ali Hensley placed 17th in shot put. Addyson Caldwell was 20th.
In discus, Ali Hensley was 17th. Addison Day placed 21st.
“I thought our throwers performed well today. Addi sets herself up for a great season next year with the progress she’s had this season, and I’m happy Ali and Addy got to close their careers at the state meet,” Vitatoe said. “Jacob (Carroll) has done a great job with the throwers this season.”
To lead the boys, Hunter Hughes and Hunter Stevens teamed to place second in unified shot put.
“I’m super excited for Hunter Hughes and Hunter Stevens. Hughes has worked so hard this year, and I’m thrilled he ends his season with a state medal,” Vitatoe said. “Stevens has been a great partner to him all season, and I can’t express enough how much I appreciate him.”
Bryson Bryant placed fifth in high jump. Jayce Brown placed fifth in pole vault.
“I can’t say enough about Bryson Bryant. To come out in his first season and finish in the top five in Class 2A is a huge accomplishment,” Vitatoe said. “He’s a talented kid who works hard every day, and that’s the reason for his rapid improvement. He’s set himself up for an excellent senior year. I have to commend the great work that coach Britt Lawson has done with the high jumpers this season.”
“Jayce had a great day today. No event is impacted more in those type of conditions that the pole vault,” Vitatoe said. “He leaves us with three straight years that he has medaled at the state meet, which is a first in our program. I’m very proud of him, and he leaves our program with a lasting legacy.
“Abby (Vitatoe) did a great job with her vaulters this season. Three of the four had never vaulted before, and all four made the state meet. It says a lot about the work she did.”
In the 4 x 200-meter relay, Landon Cook, Ben Cochran, Ryan Day and Ashton Anderson were 23rd.
“The boys competed hard as well. Cook has been a mainstay in our programs the last four years, and I’m glad he ended his career in Lexington,” Vitatoe said. “Ryan has a bright future ahead of him and I thought Ashton and Ben were great today. (Derek) Plitt has done a good job of developing his kids this season.”
Cochran, Braxton Hubbard, Trevor Farley and Jacob Schwenke finished 21st in the 4 x 400-meter relay.
“I thought both of our 4×400 relays competed hard,” Vitatoe said. “I’m thankful that Jacob finished his career at the state meet. He’s meant so much to our program over the years.
“Trevor was great as well. I’m thankful we’ve had him the last two seasons.”
In the 4 x 800-meter relay, Farley, Schwenke, Ethan Lewis and William Duncan placed 14th.
“The boys 4×800 competed hard as well. That was their second best time of the year, but I thought it was the most complete race of the season. Three of those guys are seniors, and they have left a huge mark on our program,” Vitatoe said.
“I’m proud of all of these guys,” Vitatoe said.
“I’m thankful to all of our kids, parents and coaching staff for another season of track and field at Harlan County,” Vitatoe said. “We entered the season with a total rebuild on the boys side, and a great core of girls returning, and I think they did a great job developing throughout the season. I think there’s a solid core returning in 2027 and we hope to continue to attract kids to our program.”
