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Ball signs with Lindsey Wilson
by JOHN MIDDLETON
Sports Editor
JOHN MIDDLETON|Daily Enterprise
Harlan County's Cassidy Ball signed to run cross country at Lindsey Wilson College on Thursday. Seated with Ball is father Phillip Ball. Standing are, from left: Harlan County High School Principal Bob Howard, Lindsey Wilson coach Edwin Hagans, Harlan County coach Ryan Vitatoe, Harlan County School District Superintendent Mike Howard and Harlan County High School Athletic Director Fred McCreary.
JOHN MIDDLETON|Daily Enterprise Harlan County's Cassidy Ball signed to run cross country at Lindsey Wilson College on Thursday. Seated with Ball is father Phillip Ball. Standing are, from left: Harlan County High School Principal Bob Howard, Lindsey Wilson coach Edwin Hagans, Harlan County coach Ryan Vitatoe, Harlan County School District Superintendent Mike Howard and Harlan County High School Athletic Director Fred McCreary.
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Cassidy Ball became the fourth member of the Harlan County cross country team to continue their running career at the collegiate level on Thursday, as she signed with Lindsey Wilson College.

“When I went and visited I fell in love with the school. They offered a great scholarship also,” Ball said.

Ball has helped to lead the Lady Bears to a pair of Region 7 championships and one runner-up finish in her three years on the team. As a senior, Ball earned all-region, all-area and all-conference honors. She placed fourth at the Region 7 meet.

“Cassidy has been part of a very successful group,” said Harlan County coach Ryan Vitatoe. “I feel like the light has come on for her. She is serious about what she does. She will have a lot to offer their program.”

While she is a decorated runner, that hasn’t been the most impressive accomplishment for the Harlan County senior. Ball currently ranks first in her class with a 4.0 grade-point average.

“She is a great kid. She is a very dedicated student, obviously. It shows the kind of discipline and dedication that she has,” Vitatoe said. “She really did a good job of translating that over to cross country. She shaved three minutes off of her personal record this year.”

Lindsey Wilson competes in the Mid South Conference of the NAIA division. The Lady Raiders lost a pair of standout runners from last season’s squad and will likely rely on several new faces next year. The squad lost its two top runners from a year ago in Sharon Ronoh and Sophie Tonneau, and coach Edwin Hagans says several freshmen are expected to compete for spots on the varsity squad.
“Cassidy has a huge upside because she’s only been running a few years,” Hagans said. “Coach Vitatoe’s training is very close to what we do. All she has to do is listen and understand what we’re doing. She’s very capable.”

Ball will join former Harlan County runners David Lee and Ben Graham at Lindsey Wilson.

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