Longtime coach Tracy McArthur was named the new head track and field coach for both the outdoor and indoor programs at Powell High School, taking over for recently retired Scott Smith.

“It is a huge honor and a bit scary to follow coach Scott Smith as the head coach for both the indoor and outdoor track programs at PHS,” McArthur said. “Coach Smith has built one of the most successful programs not only at PHS, but in Wyoming. One of the main reasons that I applied for these two positions is because I want to continue to build and honor the track program.”

McArthur has been an assistant coach for several programs at PHS, with her longest tenure being an assistant coach for the outdoor track program for 23 years while also serving as an assistant both indoors and on the cross country team.

She said she has learned a lot over the years working both with Smith and Ashley Hildebrand, whose dedication to the athletes at PHS has allowed her to see a number of successful athletes as well as teams within both programs.

“Both of these coaches have a love and dedication to the sport and it’s evident,” McArthur said. “We love seeing athletes be successful. I love being able to build relationships with athletes in cross country and then have it carry over into indoor and outdoor track.”

While she will be moving into a new position, her hope is there won’t be much change.

“There won’t be any noticeable changes to our programs. I want to continue to build a unified, year-round program,” McArthur said. “By having the same coach for both indoor and outdoor track, it offers our programs the highest chance of building a consistent culture.”

While the indoor track program is still relatively new at PHS, she said each year it has continued to grow.

It has quickly become a popular winter sport for the Panthers, as she has seen the program swell from 35 participants the first year to over 50 while bringing home the first trophy in program history.

She is hopeful the indoor program will continue to help the athletes in the long term.

“I think one of the best advantages of adding our indoor program four years ago allows us (indoor coaches) the opportunity to implement a long-term training cycle,” McArthur said. “Our indoor season is a competitive stepping stone to peak perfectly for the outdoor state championships in May. I think our indoor program has also benefited the soccer programs as we have athletes participate as a way to get in shape for soccer season.”

McArthur said the staff works well together, and that allows them to do what is best for each athlete and allows  the Panthers to continue to be one of the best programs in the state.

“Scott has assembled one of the best programs in the state and also one of the best coaching staffs,” she said. “We don’t have a lot of coaching turnover in the track program and I believe that continuity has helped us be successful. Coach Smith trusts us to train and evaluate our athletes, as well as communicate with (athletic trainer) Ashe Sperry about injuries.”