The Powell High School boys and girls cross country teams took seventh and ninth place, respectively, in the Class 3A State meet in Sheridan on Saturday.

The boys just finished in the top half of the 14-team field with a team score of 211 points, which put them just two points behind Douglas.

The Panther girls scored 204 team points, good for ninth place out of 13 qualifying teams.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with how everyone did,” PHS head coach Cliff Boos said. “It’s been a totally positive season.”

The boys fell just one spot from sixth-place showing at the conference meet.

“When they went from sixth to seventh, with seven more teams, that’s really exciting,” Boos said. “They got out quickly, together, and got out in front of the runners.

“That’s what was so impressive with the boys. They didn’t run all that well last week, but this week were really impressive.”

Teo Faulkner was Powell’s top overall runner. The junior ran a time of 21:10.65 and was the 21st girl to cross the finish line.

“I think Teo has just continued to feel better physically,” Boos said. “She mentioned after the race, ‘it’s so nice to feel better when I run now.’”

Sophomore Emma Andreasen, who was the Panthers’ fastest girl in their previous seven meets, finished behind Faulkner with a time of 21:36.14.

Boos said the switch at the top had everything to do with Faulkner’s improved health, and nothing to do with Andreasen’s performance.

“Emma is still obviously running well, as she always does,” Boos said. “I wasn’t disappointed at all in what Emma did.”

Both Faulkner and Andreasen made significant cuts off their Sept. 12 times in Sheridan.

Brandon Anderson paced the boys with a time of 18:13.36 and a 29th-place finish. The senior transfer student from Illinois was followed closely by freshman Alan Merritt, who took 31st place with a time of 18:16.91.

Anderson cut about a minute and a half and Merritt improved by about 40 seconds.

Senior Alex Aguirre finished 43rd with a time of 18:46.16, about 15 seconds better than on Sept. 12, and sophomore Eyob Robirds was 51st with a time of 18:57.24, an approximately 1:30 improvement.

“He’s been inconsistent all year, but this looked like he was feeling good and really ran well,” Boos said of Robirds.

Jesse Erickson rounded out the Panthers’ top five. The sophomore finished in 60th with a time of 19:19.28.

Rounding out the girls was sophomore JuliaKay O’Neill (22:48.85, 49th place) Boos commended O’Neill for cutting a minute off of her time “even though she’s been banged up.”

Boos said O’Neill should be able to take some time off, rehab and recover before winter.

“I think by the time indoor track comes, she’ll be in good shape, ready to go again,” Boos said.

Sophomore Maddy Hanks’ time of 23:18.42 (55th place) marked a 35-second improvement, and sophomore Emily Sweet ran a season-best 23:56.05, good for 62nd. It was Sweet’s first time below 24 minutes.

“She just keeps coming along,” Boos said.

Senior Lexee Craig, who injured her ankle in practice prior to state, rounded out the girls’ top seven with a time of 25:35.57 (76th).

“She did a good job this year,” Boos said “She was able to keep wiring and competing in meets.”

Freshman Alex Smith (20:32.79, 82nd place) and junior Tucker Prante (23:08.76, 96th) rounded out the boys’ results.

Anderson and Aguirre wrapped up their high school cross country careers in Sheridan.

“I’m glad those two had a good race for their last cross country race,” Boos said.