It didn’t take long for the Powell High School cross country program to get its second individual state champion.

After not having a single state champion for the entirety of the program for boys or girls through 2023, the Panther girls claimed the individual title for 3A in Cheyenne for a second straight year, as junior Karee Cooley joined her older sister Kinley Cooley as a state champion on Saturday.

“It was really exciting, just to have like a legacy thing going on right now with me and my sister,” Karee said. “I feel really proud of myself because sometimes you don’t really always have the best mindset after races. And even though I didn’t hit a PR (personal record), it was really nice.”

Karee crossed the finish line in a time of 19 minutes, 6.5 seconds, just under two seconds faster than her sister Kinley who won with a time of 19:08.2 last year.

When Karee broke away from the pack, she controlled the race throughout, pulling away to win by 24 seconds over second place.

Reaching the finish line led to a magical moment for Karee, who continued through the line into the waiting arms of her sister who made the trip to show her support.

“That was probably the best thing, because I knew that Kinley was wanting me to take the state title more than anyone else. Her and my mom (Kodi) have been really good support for me forever,” Karee said. “But just having Kinley there being the one that did it before me, it was magical.”

Prior to the state meet, Karee had only taken the top spot one time in her high school career, winning her home meet just two weeks prior. That helped her gain courage moving into the end of her junior season.

“I think after Powell, I almost was more brave,” Karee said. “I think I gained a lot of courage. I gained a lot from that race mentally and physically, knowing I could push myself that much. I think the Powell race was probably one of the most beneficial races I’ve ever had.”

Following the home meet, the Panthers had their conference meet canceled, which Karee viewed as a big benefit for her in the long run both physically and mentally.

“The week off helped me just because nothing bad happened. That race could have gone rough for me, and if that did happen then I may have been in the wrong mindset (for state),” Karee said. “I think not having that race maybe worked to my advantage because nothing got in my head with that race.”

Karee felt the team performed the best they could, unable to overcome a difficult Cody team that took the team title by 17 over the Panthers.

“We did amazing. We all put everything out there, and I don’t think we let anyone down. I don’t think we let ourselves down,” Karee said. “I think it was the best we could have done, and I’m really proud of us as a team and as individuals. I think everybody’s really happy with what we did today.”

Throughout her three years, Karee has had a number of supporters on the team including her older sister, but will have to say goodbye to another important part of the Panther team this season with the loss of senior Shelby Zickefoose.

“I think it’s going to be really different. Obviously I’d consider Shelby my best friend on the team and it’s going to be really rough losing my best friend on the team,” Karee said. “But I know we have new people coming up that are just going to help our team every year and I’m excited to make new friendships. Just soak in the memory of what I used to have and try to make new ones, not focus too much on the past.”

Karee attributed much of her success this season to her coaches Ashley Hildebrand and Tracy McArthur as well as a new addition in Rachel Carlson.

“Carlson has been one of the most motivational people we’ve had,” Karee said. “Our two coaches are already the best coaches in the whole world, and Carlson’s just one of the greatest additions we could have ever asked for on this team. She’s also really motivational and she has the biggest heart, and I don’t think we could wish for anyone better than the three people we have cheering us on every day at practice and at the meets.”

Karee now heads into the offseason with the goal of returning to this moment next year, hoping to become the first two-time state champion in school history.

“I just need to keep up with the mentality that now I know I can do it, that I need to stay where I am and improve myself mentally and physically. Just keep improving,” Karee said.