Harlan County boys squad cruises to win in home meet

Published 10:10 pm Thursday, September 5, 2019

The Harlan County Black Bears continued to show their home dominance Tuesday, boasting five of the top 10 finishers as they cruised to the win in an all-comers meet at Harlan County High School.

Junior Caleb Brock was the second overall finisher, posting a time of 19:02.31 to lead the Black Bears. Also in the top 10 for Harlan County were Daniel Joseph (19:53.18), Austin Crain (20:36.31), Sean Cooper (20:58.56) and Matt Yeary (21:05.53), who finished sixth through ninth, respectively.

Rounding out the Bears’ results were Cooper McHargue (12th, 21:24.56), Lucas Epperson (13th, 21:41.56), Breydy Daniels (22nd, 22:19.65), Andrew Yeary (26th, 22:58.59) and Jody Summers (46th, 25:32.94).

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Junior Tristen Cornette participated for Harlan, finishing 49th with a time of 25:56.21.

The Bears defeated second-place Red Bird by 48 points. Red Bird senior Dustin Driver won the race with a time of 18:50.34.

In the girls race, Harlan County finished third, trailing Middlesboro and Wise Central (Va.).

Cadance Ferguson paced the Lady Bears, finishing ninth with a time of 25:08.84. Baili Boggs (25:57.62) and Ariel Madden (27:23.53) finished 10th and 16th, respectively. They were followed by Caitlin Rice (27th, 30:16.66), Lainey Garrett (29th, 31:35.18), Taylor Clark (37th, 35:24.69), Peyton Griffin (48th, 41:57.41) and Kiki Dean (50th, 44:48.00).

Harlan, fielding a full girls’ team for the first time in several years, finished fourth in the meet. The Lady Dragons were led by senior Lucy Bryson, who finished 12th with a time of 26:13.84. Ella Morton, a junior, was 17th with a time of 27:34.09. Rounding out the Lady Dragons’ results were Mia Pace (24th, 29:21.66), Eliza Smith (36th, 35:09.38) and Madison Forrester (52nd, 46:42.60).

Middlesboro’s winning effort was led by sophomore Mallory James, who won the race with a time of 22:37.97.

Harlan County’s Olivia Kelly was the winner in the girls middle school race with a time of 17:15.41. Erica Stevens came in fourth with a time of 18:15.44. Kaydie Coots (21:20.65) and Mary Gross (21:53.78) finished ninth and 10th, respectively.

Nazareth Sanchez paced the Bears in the boys race, finishing fourth with a time of 13:48.47. Bradley Brock came in seventh with a time of 15:03.75. Rounding out the Black Bears’ results were Kaden Boggs (16th, 17:44.59) and Seth Coogle (20th, 19:33.94).

Dylan Cox led Harlan with a fifth-place finish and a time of 14:11.47. Ethan Farley (16:21.72) was 13th.

Wise Central won both middle school races.

Harlan County’s boys finished third in the elementary race. The Bears were led by Tanner Daniels (fifth, 9:26.94). Dashaun Smith was 10th with a time of 10:38.78, followed by Trey Creech (13th, 10:52.52), Luther Gross (15th, 11:42.96), Ethan Lewis (20th, 12:57.52), Braxton Crain (21st, 13:18.84), Timothy Hickson (23rd, 14:06.69), Kalob Stevens (28th, 15:08.06), Carson Sanders (27th, 15:33.84) and Zakk Collins (31st, 18:05.34).

Anna Gross led Harlan County in the girls race, finishing 13th with a time of 15:21.94. Alice Gross (18:44.09) was 17th.

Bell County won the boys elementary race, while Central won the girls event.

Both Harlan County and Harlan return to action Saturday at Middlesboro.