Powell boys claim state title

For the fourth time in six years, Powell High School claimed the state title in Class 3A boys’ track and field. The Panthers endured a windy, wet and, at times, snowy weekend to outlast Douglas for an 11-point margin of victory (137.5-126.5).

“The weather wasn’t fantastic, but I thought the kids did a fantastic job of stepping forward and competing,” said Panther head coach Scott Smith. “If you look at our times and distances, they’re not bad at all considering the conditions we faced.”

The Powell High School girls scored their highest finish at a state track meet since 2000, scoring 69 points to finish as the Class 3A runner-up. The Panthers topped everyone except Park County rival Cody.

“It’s great for our girls,” said Powell head coach Scott Smith. “It has been a number of years since we’ve brought home a girls’ trophy.”

Wild comeback gets team to Saturday contest

All season, Powell head boys’ soccer coach Travis Rapp was adamant in his belief that the Panthers were a top-five program in Class 3A. That faith was rewarded Saturday as Powell wrapped up the season with a 6-2 victory over Torrington in the consolation final game in Sheridan.

“I kept saying we were a top five team,” Rapp said. “The boys just had to wait for state to prove it.”

Both Panther track teams could come home with hardware

If there’s strength in numbers, the Powell Panthers should look absolutely overpowering when they step off the bus Thursday morning in Casper. After combining for just shy of 400 team points in regional competition last weekend, the Panther boys’ and girls’ track teams are on a short list of squads capable of winning team hardware at state.

“I’m excited about our prospects,” notes Panther coach Scott Smith, whose team has returned home with a state title in three of the last five seasons. “It should be a good battle between us and Douglas on the boys’ side with Cody and Torrington as dark horses. For the girls, everyone will be chasing Cody and then it looks like us and Glenrock battling for second.”

Pre quarterfinals injury bites Powell soccer

A tough state quarterfinal draw for the Panther boys’ soccer team became tougher when Powell learned it would likely be without senior playmaker Dan Katz. An injury Katz suffered during Powell’s 4-0 play-in contest against Rawlins last Friday was diagnosed as a torn meniscus.

“It doesn’t look like Dan’s knee is going to allow him to play,” said Panther soccer coach Travis Rapp. “He’s sat the last two practices and I am planning at this point to not have him.”

Girls second, teams face busy week ahead

The Powell High School boys rolled to a 3A West regional title over the weekend while the Panther girls placed second. In doing so, both teams assured that fans planning to make the trip to Casper for this week’s state championships will be plenty busy.

“The kids just did amazing,” said Panther track coach Scott Smith, who possibly could be accused of an understatement.

Girls second, teams face busy week ahead

The Powell High School boys rolled to a 3A West regional title over the weekend while the Panther girls placed second. In doing so, both teams assured that fans planning to make the trip to Casper for this week’s state championships will be plenty busy.

“The kids just did amazing,” said Panther track coach Scott Smith, who possibly could be accused of an understatement.

Four-goal win secures spot at state

At face value, the Powell Panthers’ 4-0 win over Rawlins at Friday’s state tournament play-in game at Lander looks similar to the team’s jamboree victory earlier this year against that same school. The scores, however, are about the only things similar.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be a cakewalk,” said Panther head coach Travis Rapp. “We didn’t expect the swarming all-out defense that Rawlins came into the game with though.”

Panthers go wire-to-wire to defeat South

Jessica Harris scored just 62 seconds into the game and her teammates ensured the Panthers would never trail as Powell scored a 4-2 girls’ soccer victory over Cheyenne South on Saturday in Riverton. The state play-in victory means the Panthers will line up against Buffalo this Thursday as part of the Class 3A soccer quarterfinals.

“We had a really good game,” said Panther coach Brett Hanlin. “We were always in the lead. We dominated, passed the ball better and hustled more.”

Team faces Cheyenne South on Saturday for a shot at state

The Powell Panthers will have to fight their way through 3A soccer newcomer Cheyenne South on Saturday if they wish to compete at the 2011 3A state soccer tournament. The pairing became official following Powell’s 3-1 loss at Worland on Tuesday.

“It was a really hard loss for the team,” Panther head coach Brett Hanlin said of the defeat. “Worland wasn’t outplaying us.”