For its first meet of 2021, Powell’s cross country team went north of the border.

The Panthers competed at the annual Billings Riverfront Meet on Friday, an event that didn’t happen last year because of COVID-19. PHS finished 13th in the varsity boys’ race, while the girls’ didn’t field a full team, so they didn’t place. 

“We had a great start to the season,” head coach Ashley Hildebrand said.

Daniel Merritt was Powell’s top finisher, posting a time of 17:47.06 in the boys’ varsity race. He placed 30th in a field of 138 runners.

“Daniel [Merritt] got out strong and ran really well, even though he was plagued with a side ache through the middle of the race,” Hildebrand said. “He was able to shake it off and ran a nice time to start the season.”

Riley Schiller was the Panthers’ second finisher with a time of 18:26.91, finishing 44th. Behind him, Ben Whitlock placed 76th with a time of 19:13.15.

Hildebrand praised the character of the team’s top three runners.

“These three provide great leadership for our team and I am really proud of them for starting off with such strong races,” she said.

On the girls’ side, Kabrie Cannon was Powell’s top runner with a time of 21:59.09. The senior placed 33rd out of 118 competitors.

“Kabrie [Cannon] is one of our team’s leaders and proved that with a great start to her season,” the coach said.

Brynn Hillman, a newcomer, finished 44th for Powell’s second time of 22:23.82. And Gabby Thomas was third and 88th overall, posting a time of 24.39. 

The Panthers also fielded JV squads at the meet, with Justin Hobbs (19:52.32) and Gracie Wolff (25:51.83) posting the team-best times for the boys and girls, respectively.

PHS returns to action Friday, as the Panthers will compete in a varsity invitational in Buffalo. Hildebrand thinks the opening event in Billings sets her teams up well as they dive into the heat of the season.

“All in all, it was a great start to the season,” Hildebrand said. “Coach [Tracy] McArthur and I are very excited to see what the rest of the season will bring with this hard working and talented group of runners.”

Billings Invitational

Boys’ varsity results:

30. Daniel Merritt 17:47.06, 44. Riley Schiller 18:26.91, 76. Ben Whitlock 19:13.15, 105. Juan Torres 20:41.48, 106. Breckin Streeter 20:43.98, 109. Colton Decker 21:03.97, 115. Jace Bohlman 21:29.64

Girls’ varsity results:

33. Kabrie Cannon 21:59.09, 41. Brynn Hillman 22:23.89, 88. Gabby Thomas 24:39.88

Boys’ junior varsity results:

24. Justin Hobbs 19:52.32, 35. Cole Frank 20:34.09, 50. Stuart Shoopman 21:28.53, 74. Jeremy Harms 22:37.53, 90. Drew Valdez 23:24.31, 134. Paul Cox 26:59.88

Girls’ junior varsity results:

44. Gracie Wolff 25:51.83, 93. Elizabeth Peterson 29:18.04