Julia Kay O’Neill is running like a seasoned veteran.

And what’s scarier, she has three high school track seasons left.

Among five Powell High School track athletes competing at the Wyoming Track Classic on Friday in Casper, O’Neill, a freshman, broke the Lady Panthers’ school record in the 800-meter run while placing third in the event featuring the 10 best athletes in Wyoming.

The Wyoming Track Classic includes the best athletes in both running and field events in the state, and is an invite-only meet.

O’Neill’s time of 2:20.50 broke the PHS record of 2:20.98 set by Katy Thiel (Hildebrand) set in 2007.

“I was actually really close to breaking the record (in eighth grade), so I’ve been wanting this one for a while,” O’Neill said. “It feels good – I’m excited.”

PHS head coach Scott Smith was not present in Casper, as he was coaching his teams at the Meeteetse Invitational in Meeteetse, but had no shortage of praise for O’Neill.

“She’s just something else,” he said. “She works hard every day, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she breaks that record two, three, four more times before she’s finished here.

“Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if she adds a few more records to her belt before it’s all said and done.”

PHS’ other female competitor was junior Anissa Warner, who placed sixth in the high jump after surpassing 5 feet.

On the boys’ side, junior Cody Akin placed seventh out of 10 runners with a time of 4:49.36 in the 1600 run. His time was more than five seconds faster than his seeded time.

The Panthers’ two best throwers this season, seniors Riley Stringer and Carter Baxter finished seventh and ninth, respectively, in the shot put. Smith said Stringer was battling a strained pectoral muscle, but lauded him for competing anyway.

“He battled through it,” Smith said. “If it wasn’t the Track Classic, he probably wouldn’t have been throwing, but he competed.”

Baxter tossed the shot put 48-03.50, while Stringer threw 46-03.75. In the discus, Baxter placed ninth with a heave of 139-10.

Smith said he was honored to send five of his athletes to Casper, and added the competition will benefit the kids as the end of the season approaches.

“It’s a good experience for our kids and it’s good for them to compete among that level of competition ... that’s only going to get them ready for regionals, and state,” he said. “Hopefully they took some good things away from Casper and apply it to the rest of their season.”