The Powell Panther cross country team had an exceptional showing in Buffalo on Friday — with the girls winning the team title led by race winner Kinley Cooley and the boys placing fifth and showing improvement early in the season.

Finishing on top in a field of 4A and 3A schools, Cooley broke away from Worland’s Zena Tapia over the final mile to earn her first race victory of the season with a 20:28.22.

The next runner in for Powell was Kenna Jacobsen, who finished just seven seconds behind Tapia to take third with a 20:41.94.

“Kenna looked really strong throughout the race, and we look for her to continue to run aggressively and be a threat for those top spots,” coach Ashley Hildebrand said.

Next across for the Panthers was Karee Cooley, who finished sixth with a time of 21:27.31.

“She [Cooley] struggled with a side ache in the middle and last sections of the race but pushed through and finished strong,” Hildebrand said.

Improving on her time from a week ago was Melissa Merritt, Powell’s fourth runner across, who finished with a 21:57.59 to take 11th.

Myah Rakness came close to her opening time of the season, trailing her Billings time by only two seconds — finishing in 22:06.15 to take 13th.

“This was her second cross country race, and she is quickly proving that she is a strong varsity runner,” Hildebrand said.

Sixth across for the Panthers was Brynn Hillman who, according to Hildebrand, ran a conservative race on doctor’s orders due to a potential foot injury. Despite the restrictions, Hillman finished 18th with a 22:30.18.

Rounding out the varsity runners was Shelby Zickefoose, who finished in 21st with a time of 23:02.78.

“Shelby continues to get stronger each week and we look for her to constantly challenge for a varsity spot,” Hildebrand said. 

As a team the Panther girls ran away with the team score, finishing with 26 points — 11 ahead of second placed Kelly Walsh and 46 ahead of third place Buffalo.

A mishap hampered the Panther boys at the start of their race, when Liam Taylor was tripped and crashed into the gravel just 25 meters into the race.

The starter unfortunately did not see the fall, and the runners were not recalled to the start.

“Liam was able to jump back up, take off and catch up to the lead pack,” Hildebrand said. “He then let the adrenaline take over and ran a stellar race.”

That ended up with Taylor placing seventh overall, finishing in 18:09.64 despite being scraped up.

Korbyn Warren narrowly avoided the same fate as Taylor at the beginning, and finished with a strong placement at 11th with a time of 18:19.9.

“He was very disappointed to not break into the top 10, but he raced very well and we look for him to continue to push to be in those top spots as the season progresses,” Hildebrand said.

The third runner across for Powell was Colin Walker, who was also tripped around the mile mark but was also able to get up and run a four minute personal best and take 35th with 20:21.98.

“We knew that Colin was going to run a great race because he ran over the summer and has been running really well in practice,” Hildebrand said.

Nathan Varian was the fourth runner across for Powell in his first race as a freshman, finishing in 51st with a 23:03.

Thomas Shuman was the fifth runner for Powell, shaving 10 seconds off his time from last week with a 23:46.16.

Rounding out the varsity squad was Jon Hawley, finishing with a 23:52.34 to take 56th overall.

Overall the Panthers placed fifth as a team, scoring 134 points and only two points behind Rawlins.

“We were very happy with how the boys placed as a team,” Hildebrand said.

The JV girls also had a strong showing, with Eleasah Horsley winning her first race as a Panther with a 22:56.82.

“She ran by herself for the majority of the race, so it will be nice to see what she can do when someone is pushing her,” Hildebrand said.

Jordan Black came in third overall for the JV team, finishing in 23:05.99 for her first race of the season.

Gracie Wolff ran a personal best by 35 seconds, finishing in 6th with a 23:32.4.

“She has been working hard in practice and it was so fun to see her run that much faster on a hilly course this early in the season,” Hildebrand said.

Ashlee Jacobsen came in eighth overall with a 23:42.65 for the Panthers.

The final Panther across was Emma Kennedy, who finished in 30th with a 23:19.74.

The junior varsity girls finished second as a team, just two points behind Kelly Walsh.

RIVERTON RACE

The Panthers will head to Riverton to take part in a race Thursday (today) at 2:30 p.m.

The Panthers are expected to square off with 4A, 3A and 2A competition at the meet before heading back into Montana next week for a meet in Lewistown.