The Powell Panther cross country teams posted strong times at the Michelle Ludwig Invite in Sheridan, as the Panther girls took second and the boys took fifth on a sunny Saturday.

Karee Cooley led the way for the girls’ team, becoming the second Panther in school history, behind her older sister Kinley, to break into the 18s with a time of 18 minutes, 53 seconds to take second.

“Karee and Lyla Marney from Big Horn quickly separated themselves from the pack and both came across the finish line in under 19 minutes,” coach Ashley Hildebrand said. “I expected Karee to run under 19 at this meet and it was her personal goal for this meet, but it really is a testament to her physical fitness and mental strength.”

Shelby Zickefoose was the next Panther across the line, turning in a top 10 time in school history of her own with a time of 20:19 to finish eighth in the race.

Hildebrand said Zickefoose is the “perfect example” of a runner who “has trusted the process and worked hard to meet her goals.”

Just behind her was Anyston Keller, who ran a time of 20:27 to take ninth.

Five seconds behind in 12th was Melissa Merritt, who ran a personal best time of 20:31.

Kaytlee George ran a personal best time of 21:11 to take 17th and round out the team scoring.

Eleasah Horsley was close behind in 18th with a personal best time of 21:12, and Kara Sanders was the seventh runner in 27th with a time of 21:51.

The Panthers were able to run more than seven in the event, as Macie Velasco was 29th with a time of 22:09, Landyn Horsley was 33rd with a time of 22:19 and Paige Sanders was 44th with a personal best time of 22:48.

“The times that these girls are running would put them on many varsity squads in our division, so it’s really nice to have them get to run in the varsity races to get that experience,” Hildebrand said.

Powell finished second overall behind rival Cody, recording 48 points to 44 for the Fillies in the first matchup of the season between the top two teams in 3A.

On the boys’ side, Korbyn Warren led the way once again for the Panthers in 23rd with a time of 18:17.

Colin Walker was close behind in 25th with a time of 18:35, and Nathan Varian was the third runner across with a time of 19:03.

Michael Stensing ran a personal best time of 19:11 to take 30th and Ben Smith rounded out the scoring in 39th with a personal best time of 20:29.

Hildebrand said they were missing several runners due to illness on the boys’ side, finishing fifth in the standings.

“We are really happy with how the boys’ team is shaping up,” Hildebrand said. “We are hoping to have everybody healthy for next week and be full strength as we head into the second half of the season.”

In the JV races, Natalee Laing was ninth overall with a time of 24:11, Hayden Serr was close behind in 10th with a time of 24:18, Charlie Taylor was 16th with a time of 25:14 and Jordyn Nelson was 30th with a time of 28:06.

For the boys’ team, Karson Howe was 29th with a time of 21:43 and Thomas Shuman was 35th with a time of 21:55.

The Panthers head to Worland on Friday for the Warrior Invite.