Blistering conditions in Riverton on Thursday brought out strong performances for the Powell Panther cross country runners, as the girls finished second to Cody led by another Kinley Cooley victory and the boys earned strong finishes at the Berry Bryant/Kyle Johnson Memorial.

Cooley finished first by 14 seconds with a 20:32.46.

“Kinley runs really well in the heat and is able to use that to her advantage,” coach Ashley Hildebrand said. 

Next across for Powell was Kenna Jacobsen who took fifth with a time of 21:09.73. Hildebrand said that Jacobsen sometimes struggles in the heat but she managed her nutrition and hydration well enough to stay competitive in the 80-plus-degree weather in Riverton.

Rounding out the top 10 in the race was Karee Cooley, who continues to be a consistent runner for the Panthers in her first year with a 21:49.44.

Fourth overall for the team was Myah Rakness in 19th with a 22:33 just ahead of Melissa Merritt in 21st with a 22:45.9.

“Both did a great job of getting into good scoring positions, allowing us to keep our score down,” Hildebrand said.

The final two varsity runners across were Eleasah Horsley with a 23:18.8 in 26th place and Shelby Zickefoose in 35th with a 24:02.3.

Overall the Panthers were in a tight team race, finishing just behind rival Cody with 43 points compared to the Fillies’ 39.

Both teams were 20-plus points ahead of third place Kelly Walsh which had 64.

The boys team also raced strong in the heat, once again led by Liam Taylor who finished in 16th with an 18:12.9.

“He got off to a slow start after being boxed in during another crowded start, but he did stay on his feet this week and was able to make his way up into the top 20,” Hildebrand said.

Korbyn Warren was the next placer once again, taking 22nd with an 18:31.4.

Colin Walker came across the line third for Powell in 48th, running a 20:33.65.

“Colin has been looking really good in practice and we think he will break into the 19s very soon,” Hildebrand said.

Rounding out the team for Powell was the trio of Nathan Varian (22:45), Thomas Shuman (24:02) and Jon Hawley (24:23) who all finished 61st, 62nd and 63rd respectively.

“They are all running consistently, and we also look for them to continue to get stronger and faster as the season progresses,” Hildebrand said.

The boys team placed ninth in the team standings.

The junior varsity recorded another set of high individual finishes, where Jordan Black took second (23:10.3) to earn a varsity spot this upcoming week.

Gracie Wolff came in 13th with a time of 24:58 and Ava Gilliatt came 27th with a 26:53.

Hildebrand said they held out several runners due to soreness or injuries in Riverton and hopes to have them return this upcoming week.

MONTANA RETURN

After spending a couple of weeks in Wyoming the Panthers will turn their attention north this weekend, heading into Montana once again to take part in a meet in Lewistown at the Fergus Eagle Invitational.

“We are really looking forward to racing in Montana because it gives us a chance to run on a new course and race against teams that we don’t normally see in competition week after week,” Hildebrand said.

That race is scheduled for a noon start on Friday, before the Panthers return close to home with a meet in Cody next Thursday.