Cross country teams from throughout southeastern Kentucky will travel to Harlan County High School on Saturday as the Black Bears host the Area 9 meet.

Harlan County cross country coach Ryan Vitatoe said the Bears will be one of the favorites.

“The boys will be one of the top teams. They have performed well against the teams that will be there. I think they will be the favorite to win if they run the way they are capable of running,” he said. “We have battled the Letcher Central and Shelby Valley boys teams all year.”

The HCHS boys team is led by sophomore Hunter Middleton.

Vitatoe said Middleton will compete for the individual championship.

“The boys race will probably come down to Shelby Valley’s Chase Ratliff and Hunter Middleton,” Vitatoe said. “They have raced each other three times this year and Hunter has beaten him once, so that’s going to be a very good race between them for the individual title.”

Vitatoe said he also expects the HCHS girls team to compete for the overall title.

“I think the girls team is a top two or three team. Letcher Central has a really strong girls team, so it will be a tall order to beat them. But, my girls have been running really well in practice,” he stated. “We have three girls — Jessica Cottrell, Haley Goodwin and Haley Helton — that could all sneak in and win.”

Teams eligible to participate in the event include: Allen Central, Belfry, Betsy Layne, Breathitt County, Buckhorn, Cordia, East Ridge, Harlan, Harlan County, Hazard, Jackson City, Jenkins, Johnson Central, June Buchanan, Knott County Central, Leslie County, Letcher County Central, Magoffin County, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Perry County Central, Phelps, Piarist, Pike County Central, Pikeville Independent , Prestonsburg, Riverside Christian, Shelby Valley, Sheldon Clark and South Floyd.

The boys varsity 5,000 meter race is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. The girls varsity 5,000 meter race is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The boys and girls elementary school 2,000 meter race is slated for 2 p.m., while the boys and girls middle school 3,000 meter race is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Harlan County High School will also be the site for the Class AA, Region 7 meet on Nov. 7. The competition will mark the first time that the county has hosted a regional meet.