After coming up just shy of qualifying for a state berth in 2017, the Harlan County Black Bears made sure to leave no doubt Saturday that they aren’t the doormats of Class 3A Region 7 anymore.

Five Bears crossed the finish line in under 20 minutes as Harlan County claimed fourth place in the regional championship meet at Wayne County, a full spot better than necessary for qualifying. The win marks Harlan County’s first-ever team appearance in the state meet as a 3A school.

“I’ve had some proud moments in my 11 seasons here, and this is among the best of them. To see these guys change the expectations they had for themselves has been rewarding. We’ve gone from hoping we can get in to accepting nothing less. They have really turned the corner in the last three weeks, and today was an inspired performance.”

Harlan County was led by sophomore Caleb Brock, who finished 13th with a time of 18:06.13. He was followed immediately by senior Josh Lee (18:09.22). Zack Carmical (18:55.86), a junior, was 26th. Eighth-graders Daniel Joseph (31st, 19:08.66) and Cooper McHargue (33rd, 19:15.81) and freshman Matt Yeary (42nd, 19:50.08) also posted sub-20:00 times. Sean Cooper (21:12.97) was 60th.

“To have six boys under 20, and nearly five guys in the 18s, was something I knew was possible for this group,” Vitatoe said. “I’ve really been on them the last two weeks about focusing on this goal. They beat some really good teams to get there, in one of the toughest regions in the state. Now my question becomes, ‘What will we do with it?’

“I’m just so proud of them. They deserve it.”

Harlan County defeated longtime regional power Pulaski County by eight points for the fourth spot.

Madison Central won the regional championship, defeating second-place South Laurel by 30 points. West Jessamine finished third. Central boasted the top three finishers, as Connor O’Shea, Brady Masters and Kyler Stewart were the first to cross the line.

The Lady Bears will have an individual representative on the girls side for the second straight season, as eighth-grader Cadance Ferguson qualified with a time of 23:17.15, good enough for 22nd place.

“Cadance ran an amazing race. She was so close last year, and it was her goal to make it to the state meet,” Vitatoe said. “I’m really proud of her growth as a runner in the last 12 months. She has a bright future.”

Rounding out the Harlan County girls’ results were Ariel Madden (43rd, 25:35.69), Baili Boggs (48th, 27:53.48), Katelyn Hensley (49th, 28:01.38), Jasmine Hill (51st, 28:15.50), Abby Vitatoe (52nd, 28:24.37) and Lainey Garrett (54th, 29:26.97).

“We have a lot of work ahead of us on the girls side, but our core is really strong,” Vitatoe said. Big things are coming, but I’m really proud of this group of girls and all their hard work between the injuries and defections this season. They are a special group.”

South Laurel held off Madison Central by five points to win the regional title, despite a strong showing by Central eighth-grader Ciara O’Shea, who won the race with a time of 18:54.88, breaking South Laurel star Phoebe McCowan’s two-year hold on the title. McCowan (19:38.97) was second. West Jessamine and Pulaski County took the third and fourth spots, respectively, to qualify for the state meet as well.

Ferguson and the boys will compete in Saturday’s state championship meet at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Also advancing to state was Harlan junior Lucy Bryson, who finished ninth with a time of 23:58.42 in the Class A Region 6 meet earlier Saturday at Wayne County.

“She really gave everything she could on the race course,” Harlan coach Conner Sakati said. “But across the board, I was really impressed with how hard everyone worked, throughout the season and during the race.

“Everyone made progress throughout the year, running rain or shine, and doing hard workouts and strides every day in order to improve their times. I am proud of all their effort, and they should all be proud of their diligence.”

Sophomore Ella Morton finished 21st with a time of 26:20.19.

Middlesboro won the regional title, defeating Williamsburg by 30 points. Williamsburg senior Selena Mattingly (21:02.44) capped a career sweep of regional championships dating all the way to her seventh-grade year, in 2013.

Charles David Morton led Harlan in the boys race, finishing 52nd with a time of 22:40.21. Shane Lindsey (23:29.50) was 59th.

Williamsburg won the title, defeating Jackson County by 23 points. Red Bird junior Dustin Driver (18:06.92) was the individual champion.