The Harlan County boys cross country squad is heading into October in impressive fashion, with a string of top-five finishes that dates all the way back to the start of the season.

The Black Bears kept the streak alive Saturday by claiming fourth place at the Berea Invitational.

“I’m proud of the kids on their effort today in a solid field of runners,” Harlan County coach Ryan Vitatoe said. “I think we were much more focused. We still have some areas we need to work on in the next three weeks heading into region.”

Junior Caleb Brock led the Bears, finishing 15th with a time of 19:03.84. Daniel Joseph (19:37.43) was 25th, followed by Zack Carmical (37th, 20:24.03). Rounding out the Bears’ results were Matt Yeary (40th, 20:31.34), Lucas Epperson (21st, 20:32.62), Logan Hensley (44th, 20:51.84) and Sean Cooper (94th, 24:21.69).

Corbin won the meet, defeating Western Hills by 44 points. Fern Creek placed third. Western Hills junior Griffin Staude was the individual winner with a time of 16:40.75.

In the girls race, seventh-grader Peyton Lunsford propelled the Lady Bears to a seventh-place finish.

Lunsford was 20th with a time of 23:53.75. She was followed by Cadance Ferguson (33rd, 25:30.09), Riley Key (44th, 27:09.15), Baili Boggs (45th, 27:12.15) and Lainey Garrett (71st, 29:56.16).

Corbin held off Western Hills by 16 to complete the sweep. Southwestern’s Kate Golden won the race with a time of 20:55.59.

Cooper McHargue was the individual winner with a time of 20:44.00 as Harlan County’s boys finished second in the junior varsity race. Breydy Daniels (22:31.38) and Andrew Yeary (22:32.43) were 10th and 11th, respectively, followed by Kaden Boggs (18th, 25:48.03) and Bradley Brock (20th, 26:05.44).

In previously unreported action, the boys edged Red Bird by three points last week in an all-comers meet at Middlesboro.

Six of Harlan County’s seven runners finished in the top 20, led by Joseph (third, 18:14.50) and Caleb Brock (fourth, 18:38.34). Cooper (19:38.91), Hensley (19:40.02), Epperson (19:47.22) and McHargue (20:11.28) were 14th, 15th, 16th and 19th, respectively, followed by Daniels (35th, 21:33.88), Austin Crain (38th, 22:00.47) and Jody Summers (45th, 22:56.69).

Harlan junior Tristen Cornett was 40th with a time of 22:19.25.

The Harlan County girls fell to Middlesboro by 15 points. Cadance Ferguson (23:56.22) and Riley Key (24:07.28) finished ninth and 10th, respectively. Rounding out the Lady Bears’ results were Caitlin Rice (16th, 25:27.53), Lainey Garrett (24th, 28:38.78) and Taylor Clark (28th, 30:57.31).

Harlan senior Lucy Bryson finished fifth with a time of 22:47.22. She was followed by Ella Morton (25:01.75) and Mia Pace (27:18.18) in 14th and 21st place, respectively.

Dylan Cox (13:11.28) and Ethan Farley (14:41.34) finished third and 12th, respectively, for Harlan in the boys middle school race. Harlan County was led by Bradley Brock (eighth, 13:55.18), followed by Kaden Boggs (16th, 15:44.56).

Harlan County Christian’s Olivia Kelly was third in the girls middle school race with a time of 15:52.59. Kaydie Coots (21st, 21:32.75) and Mary Gross (23rd, 21:38.46) participated for Harlan County.

Tanner Daniels (sixth, 8:56.44) and Dashaun Smith (eighth, 9:22.56) posted top-10 finishes for the Bears in the boys elementary school race. Rounding out the Bears’ results were Luther Gross (13th, 10:10.18), Ethan Lewis (23rd, 11:54.41) Braxton Crain (25th, 12:53.06), Kalob Stevens (28th, 14:18.66) and Zakk Collins (32nd, 18:32.34). Alice Gross (ninth, 13:25.88) and Anna Gross (10th, 13:31.28) ran in the girls race.

Harlan County’s elementary and middle school teams return to action Thursday at Letcher County Central. The varsity squad will attend the Greater Louisville Classic on Saturday.