History was made on Saturday morning in Cheyenne, when Powell High School senior Kinley Cooley became the first cross country state champion in school history. She pulled away from the 3A field with an impressive 30.5 second victory over the next closest runner — winning in 19 minutes, 8.2 seconds.

“I was a little exhausted so I couldn’t really believe it,” Cooley said. “I was kind of grumpy at the finish line because I was so exhausted, but I was really happy for myself. I didn’t realize until like 20 minutes later that I was the first cross country kid from Powell to do that.”

WORKING BACK TO THE TOP

Over the past few years the Panthers have been one of the top teams in 3A, finishing third during Cooley’s sophomore year, as she finished seventh to earn All-State honors. The Panthers won the team title last year but Cooley finished just outside All-State recognition in 13th.

“I think it’s a big part of the legacy of our team right now,” Cooley said. “We have a super strong team and it’s just super exciting to see that.”

After the down finish last year, Cooley figured out some medical concerns after the cross country season, helping her set records for the Panther indoor and outdoor track teams, also allowing her to train harder heading into this season.

“I just remember last year, being in that pain cave and just how terrible it was. This year I told myself I was going to be a little bit more positive, and I’ve already had a way stronger season,” Cooley said. “I just kind of let the success from other meets carry me, and I’ve had a really good support system especially because the girls’ team is super close, so that makes it way easier.”

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

Throughout the year Cooley has been the front runner in most every race, winning nearly every Wyoming race in which she competed, while also winning a race in Billings before finishing top five in races in Bozeman and Lewistown, Montana.

Leading at the front of the pack Cooley has found a way to challenge herself, setting various records and improving her school record time by more than 1:20 while continuing to win nearly every race no matter the conditions.

In a more challenging course in Cheyenne that featured difficult hills, Cooley wanted to keep herself separated from the pack and near the lead UTV the entire race.

“Knowing myself I always go out a little bit too fast, but I think that’s part of my strategy,” Cooley said. “So going into the race, I told myself to just stick with that Gator and not let it build too much of a gap on me because sometimes it’s a little bit harder to run all alone or to not have a whole bunch of competitors out there on the course with you making you work harder.”

She said she continued to use the lead UTV as a girl she was trying to chase, keeping her eyes on them while trying to maintain her pace the entire race.

Ending the year with another win capped off the undefeated season in Wyoming for Cooley, with her saying all the pieces fell into place at the right time to finish her senior year.

“This year, it’s just like all the pieces for me personally, kind of fell into place. I just had a kind of breakthrough this year that allowed me to lead those races and have that opportunity to be one of those top finishers at those meets,” Cooley said.

She was the third fastest girl on the course behind the top two finishers in 4A, and was one of the three who broke the previous course record at the Little America Golf Course of 19:17.8 set by Ryann Smith of Rawlins.

“She loves to run, she loves her team and she really deserved this win,” coach Ashley Hildebrand said.

As the team finished second this season, Cooley said there was no disappointment among the Panthers, as they held their position and earned a trophy for a third straight year.

“We didn’t let anyone take our second place trophy,” Cooley said. “We all ran super hard. I know it’s easy to be hard on yourself when you do so good one year and then not as well the next year. I think we just need to be proud of even just bringing home one trophy because that’s exciting.”

FAMILY DRIVES TEAM

Cooley’s rise to the top did not shock her teammate, fellow senior and cousin Kenna Jacobsen, who joined Cooley in the top 10 at state to finish with another All-State honor.

“It’s just so exciting,” Jacobsen said. “We’re family, she’s my best friend and it’s just really cool that we can do it together. I’m so proud of her. She puts in a lot of work and she deserves everything that she’s got this year.”

That family connection has been a driving force for the Panther cross country team in recent years, as the closeness of the Panthers has been one of the main factors for Cooley over her career.

“It’s bittersweet. Obviously I’ll go on to run in college hopefully, and keep running cross country,” Cooley said. “It’s really hard because the team is the main reason why I do cross country. Nobody really loves running 3 miles as fast as they can when it’s super hot out. It’s really just to be there for each other and have a solid group of friends. I know personally that before high school I didn’t have a huge support system especially through the high school.

“Going into being on a cross country team with a bunch of family members and whatnot, and a really strong community, it’s sad to leave all that behind … The friends in high school are going to be the ones that I tell my kids about and my grandkids the stories of being on this team. It’s going to be something that I will remember forever.”