The Harlan County Black Bears are heading into next week’s Class 3A Region 7 meet on a high note.

The boys team claimed its first win of the season Tuesday in the final home meet of the year, while the girls completed a home sweep.

“I’m so proud of the boys team,” Harlan County coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “We had a lot of losses due to graduation from last season, but they’ve kept grinding and improving, and they deserve some success. It’s a great way to close our season heading into the region meet.

“The girls are continuing to improve and build on the effort from the Area 9 meet. I’m really proud of how they’ve responded to the challenge we laid out before them prior to that meet. They’ve been really dialed in and running well.”

Complete results were not available, but at least five school records fell. Kassydee Owens set a new standard in the girls triple jump. Senior Amber Allen broke the pole vault record, while Whitney Wilson set a new mark in the girls shot put for the second straight meet. Baili Boggs, a junior, broke the 100-meter hurdles record. On the boys side, sophomore Caleb Brock set a new standard in the 3,200-meter run.

The team closed the regular season Thursday at Middlesboro, with two more records falling. Brock broke the 1,600-meter run record, and Kelly Beth Hoskins set a new girls discus standard.

The Bears return to action Tuesday at Pulaski County in the regional championship meet. After sending several athletes to the state competition last season, Vitatoe is hopeful his team is ready to take another step forward in 2019.

“Heading into region, we need to recognize we are able to compete with anyone. We need to be willing to hurt to prove that. We are so close in so many events for regional wins — we have to understand the amount of focus it will take to be able to complete our goal,” he said.

“We are ready. Now we just have to go out and prove it.