Daniels, Simpson win individual titles at 13th Region meet

Rosspoint+sixth-grader+Jaycee+Simpson+%28left%29%2C+representing+Harlan+County%2C+was+the+winner+in+the+13th+Region+elementary+school+race+Monday+at+Lynn+Camp+High+School.

Rosspoint sixth-grader Jaycee Simpson (left), representing Harlan County, was the winner in the 13th Region elementary school race Monday at Lynn Camp High School.

By Abby Sherman, Contributing Writer

The Harlan County and Harlan elementary and middle school teams competed in the 13th Region Championship on Monday at Lynn Camp High School.
The elementary division was split, with grades K-3 and 4-6 competing in separate races.
Harlan’s K-3 girls team placed first, while Harlan County placed second. Harlan’s 4-6 girls placed fourth. Harlan’s K-3 boys placed second, while Harlan County placed third. Harlan County’s 4-6 boys also placed third, while Harlan placed fifth. Harlan County’s boys middle school team also placed third overall.
“What a great night for our elementary and middle school programs. I want to commend Lynn Camp coach Marc Estep for his hard work in making this regional meet a reality.” Harlan County coach Ryan Vitatoe said.
Lillian Daniels (7:46.07) led Harlan to their victory, winning the K-3 girls elementary race overall. Addison Sanford (8:33.64) and Julianne Miller (8:39.63) placed third and fourth, respectively. Rounding out the results for Harlan were Rebecca Adams (15th, 9:42.73), Hannah Adams (20th, 10:33.58), Sophia Damaa (24th, 10:59.90), Meredith Lawson (26th, 11:16.49), Tori Wattenberger (35th, 12:34.58), Everly Freyer (37th, 12:50.16) and Arwen Lemaster (39th, 16:58.00).
Ella Brock led Harlan County, finishing fifth overall with a time of 8:55.85. Nevaeh Perkins (9:21.82) finished 13th, while Charlotte Mitchell placed 18th with a time of 10:08.43. Other finishers for Harlan County were Isabella Burkhart (19th, 10:27.96), Paisleigh Asher (22nd, 10:53.30), Peyton Sherman (27th, 11:24.25), Evva Hensley (28th, 11:37.87) and Nevaeh Stone (38th, 13:00.06).
Aiden Browning (ninth) led Harlan in the K-3 boys elementary race, finishing with a time of 8:08.47. He was followed immediately by Colt Sullivan (8:13.02). Connor Niday placed 17th with a time of 8:40.49. Other finishers for Harlan were Ben Parsons (20th, 8:47.29), Kash Bailey (23rd, 8:56.49), Kelton Dean (24th, 8:57.51), Braxton Sizemore (39th, 9:57.81), Justyce Young (41st, 10:14.86), Finn Lemar (63rd, 13:42.63) and Nolan Niday (71st, 16:42.57).
Levi Hensley led Harlan County, finishing 21st with a time of 8:49.00. Zakk Collins placed 27th with a time of 9:21.56, while Carter Daniels (9:25.61) finished 30th. Rounding out the results for HC were Sawyer Shackleford (31st, 9:27.31), Hunter Evans (32nd, 9:28.05), Jonah Sargent (33rd, 9:35.91), Deacon Lisenbee (36th, 9:46.56), Reid Daniels (54th, 11:49.53), Jase Sargent (55th, 11:51.12) and Brayden Perkins (56th, 11:52.65).
Bush Elementary won the K-3 boys race overall.
Priscilla Stewart led Harlan in the 4-6 girls elementary race, placing eighth overall with a time of 7:54.97. Cora Jones finished 17th with a time of 8:28.29. Mckenzie Petrey (8:40.53) finished 19th. Other finishers for Harlan were Lillie Carver (33rd, 9:09.54), Megan Lewis (41st, 9:35.75), Shaedyn Crow (52nd, 10:11.44), Natalie Adams (56th, 10:45.59), Arianna Raleigh (58th, 10:53.24), Bella Lemar (60th, 11:09.76), Miley Cobb (67th, 12:17.30) and Briley Cobb (68th, 12:46.92).
Harlan County’s Jaycee Simpson won the 4-6 girls elementary race overall with a time of 6:48.07. Anna Gross placed ninth with a time of 8:00.13, while Alice Gross finished 54th with a time of 10:25.29.
Lynn Camp won the 4-6 girls elementary race overall.
“I’m so proud of Jaycee. What a great accomplishment in her first season. She’s got a bright future in the sport.” Vitatoe said. “All these elementary boys and girls are the future of our program. I feel really confident they will carry on the tradition of success, based on what I have seen this year.”
Hunter Fuson led Harlan County in the 4-6 boys elementary race, finishing fifth overall with a time of 6:50.99. Nathan Barger (10th) and Hutton Sherman (12th) finished with times of 7:06.19 and 7:08.63, respectively. Rounding out the results for Harlan County were Jacob Brock (19th, 7:28.40), Eli Barger (32nd, 7:48.62), Ryland Burke (33rd, 7:49.22), Robby Johnson (42nd, 8:12.22), Jayden Sargent (55th, 8:42.28), Ben Crain (69th, 9:23.44), Brycen Saylor (79th, 10:00.00), Hunter Asher (89th, 11:27.00) and Jordan Sargent (91st, 12:57.00).
Cooper Thomas (6:48.82) led Harlan in the 4-6 boys elementary race, finishing fourth overall. Micah Shope (7:41.18) and Thomas Miller (7:45.59) finished 27th and 29th, respectively. Other finishers for Harlan were Mason Raleigh (58th, 8:48.17), Connor Thomas (66th, 9:19.12), Andrew Alred (67th, 9:20.53), Saylor Crow (68th, 9:21.68), Jett Luttrell (71st, 9:27.18), Jayceon Young (80th, 10:05.00) and Toby Hensley (83rd, 10:11.00).
“Our elementary girls and boys teams have grown so much this season. They work hard in practice but maintain an attitude of fun,” Harlan coach Anne Lindsey said. “We have really enjoyed watching them develop a love for running and competition this season. We can’t wait to see what next year will bring for them.”
Corbin won the 4-6 boys race.
Tanner Daniels led Harlan County, winning the boys middle school race with a time of 10:19.48. Drew Sergent (12:09.26) placed 17th. Riley Fuson finished 23rd with a time of 13:01.77. Rounding out the results for HC were Kaylob Stevens (31st, 13:46.04) and Xavier Farley (32nd, 13:56.15).
“I’m so proud of Tanner. Winning a regional title is a major accomplishment, but capturing consecutive titles is impressive. He has a real chance to do incredible things in this sport,” Vitatoe said.
Harlan’s Michael Lindsey (17:13.25) finished 49th in the boys middle race, while Landon Traylor (23:06.99) placed 55th.
Harlan County’s Kendall Brock finished sixth overall in the girls middle school race with a time of 13:52.46. Gracie Roberts finished eighth with a time of 14:02.52. Kiera Roberts (15:17.49) and Autumn Farley (15:43.63) placed 19th and 23rd, respectively.
“Our middle school boys and girls all ran really well. Like the younger kids, they have really developed throughout the year. I’m just really proud of them,” Vitatoe said.
Harlan’s Harper Carmical (13:18.79) placed fifth overall in the girls middle school race. Juliana Damaa (22nd) finished with a time of 15:41.26. Brooklyn Evans (23:02.46) placed 35th, while Brianna Creech (25:16.00) placed 36th.
“Harper Carmical ran a great race in a really competitive field. She continues to push the boundaries of her ability this season,” Lindsey said.
Corbin won the girls and boys middle school races overall.
“I’m super proud of all of our kids. It’s incredible how far they have come this season when you look at their times from the beginning until now.” Vitatoe said. “Our coaching staff has done a great job in developing these kids. It’s been an absolute joy watching them develop throughout the season.”
Both programs’ high school teams will compete at Whitley County’s all comers meet on Thursday.

Harlan County’s Tanner Daniels won his division in the 13th Region race at Lynn Camp