An Enterprise Staff Report

Several local runners were selected to the recently announced All-Area 9 teams.

Harlan County’s Kassie Rouse was named the top girls high school runner, while Ryan Vitatoe was selected as the girls coach of the year. The duo was joined by a host of Lady Bears on the all-area team, as Breanna Epperson, Cassidy Ball, Lacey Stephens and Jennifer Graham each received the honor.

Harlan County placed a pair of boys on the All-Area 9 team, with Donavan Johnson and Steven Engle each being selected.

The Lady Bears also swept the top middle school awards as Vitatoe was again named coach of the year, while Rebecca Middleton earned runner of the year honors. Harlan County’s Allison Cornett and Bethany Day and Harlan’s Ashton Gross were each named to the all-area team.

Harlan’s Leo Miller was named the boys middle school coach of the year, with Andrew Mills selected as the top runner. Fellow Green Dragons Mason Miller and Billy Day joined them on the team. Harlan County had a trio of runners on the boys middle school team, with Trent McKenzie, Kyle Middleton and Alex Lewis each receiving the honor.

A pair of Green Dragons also took home the top awards in the boys elementary school division. Miller was named the coach of the year, with Alex Mills earning runner of the year honors. They were joined on the all-area team by Harlan’s Story Miller, Ozzie Howard and Charles Morton. Harlan County’s Matt Brown and Drake Ward were also named to the middle school team.

Vitatoe was named the elementary school girls coach of the year, while Lady Bear Madison Blanton was selected as the top runner. Harlan County’s Abby Vitatoe and Katie Graham were also chosen to the all-area team.