Cave Lake Event Park in Monticello features a lake in the center of the cross country course. That’s fitting, because the Harlan County boys veterans hope to wash a bad taste out of their mouths and leave Wayne County with a measure of redemption this weekend.

In 2017, the boys narrowly missed earning a berth in the state championship meet, finishing a mere 15 points out of fifth place at the Class 3A Region 7 competition. Harlan County coach Ryan Vitatoe hopes last year’s close call will serve as motivation when his Bears step to the line again Saturday.

“We came up short on the boys side last year, and I believe it was because we thought we were a shoo-in to make the state meet as a team because of our performances throughout the season,” Vitatoe said. “I think we were sitting ranked third or fourth as a team heading into the region meet last season. That is something I’ve discussed with them incessantly throughout this season, particularly in the last 14 days.

“It’s a dogfight in this region. Nobody get an easy pass into the state meet. I’m hopeful they understand that heading in.”

The Bears were expected to boast veteran leadership, and the trio of senior Josh Lee, junior Zack Carmical and sophomore Caleb Brock have not disappointed. But it’s been the emergence of some younger runners that has the Bears poised for a better result this year.

“My older guys have been great this season; each of those three has had the best season of their career so far and has provided valuable leadership for the younger guys,” Vitatoe said. “I’m super proud of how the younger guys have come on because of that. You know you have something special when you hear those three talking immediately after a meet saying, ‘OK guys, now it’s time to hit 18s.’”

Lee, Carmical and Brock will be joined by junior Sean Cooper, who returns after sitting out last season, freshman Matt Yeary, and eighth-graders Daniel Joseph and Cooper McHargue.

The girls team has been in rebuilding mode after being hit hard by graduation the last two years, but Vitatoe has been happy with the improvement he’s seen in the final month of the season.

“We’ve had a hard reboot on the girls side this year, with only one girl having more than one season of varsity experience,” he said. “Cadance (Ferguson) has come on as the season has gone on and is running very well.

Ferguson, an eighth-grader, is joined by freshman Ariel Madden, sophomore Abby Vitatoe, junior Baili Boggs, senior Katelyn Hensley, eighth-grader Lainey Garrett and seventh-grader Jasmine Hill. The team lost two runners in recent weeks as Kassydee Owens and Caitlyn Rice both went down with injuries.

“We have some talented girls, but injuries and inexperience have made for a lot of growing pains this season. I do like this young core and feel like they are a sleeping giant; they just have to continue to learn how to race,” Vitatoe said.

The boys race is set to begin at 3:45 p.m., with the boys race following at 4:30.

The Harlan Green Dragons will also make the trip to Monticello for the Class A Region 6 meet Saturday.

Numbers are lower for the Dragons this year. After fielding a full boys team at the regional meet last season, Harlan is expected to have two runners Saturday: freshman John Mark Bryson and junior Shane Lindsey. Bryson ran for Harlan’s middle school team last year, while Lindsey is a newcomer.

The Dragons’ most experienced runner is junior Lucy Bryson, who is expected to contend for a state meet berth on the girls side. She is joined by sophomore Ella Morton, who has made great strides in 2018 and could also make a run at a state meet appearance.

Harlan first-year coach Connor Sakati couldn’t be reached for comment.

The boys race is set for 1 p.m., with the girls race following at 1:45 p.m.

The state meet will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park on November 3.