Junior Paige Sanders extended her school record and took the state title in the triple jump to lead the Powell High School girls’ track and field team to third place at the State Track and Field Championships in Casper, where the athletes weathered inclement first day conditions followed by two days of sunshine.

Sanders won the triple jump with a leap of 38 feet even, extending her school record by 7 inches.

“It was awesome to see Paige not only win the triple but set another record,” coach Scott Smith said. “It always amazes me how she keeps getting better.”

Sanders also added a fifth place finish in the long jump with a leap of 17-1 1/2, in a close competition that saw first place only 5 inches ahead of eighth place.

Another record for the Panthers fell in the 400 meters, as freshman Kaytlee George set a new standard with a second place finish in 58.16 seconds.

“Kaytlee had a great season and it was really nice to see her break that record she had been so close to so often,” Smith said.

George added a seventh place finish in the 200 meters with a time of 26.54 seconds.

Junior Karee Cooley also had a strong showing, placing second in the 1600 meters in 5 minutes, 17.68 seconds, and second in the 3200 meters in 11:36.7.

“Karee had a great meet, running great times and getting All-State in two events,” Smith said.

She added a sixth place finish in the 800 meters with a time of 2:23.38.

Senior Nalani Jordan was the final Panther who had several top finishes, as she took second in the discus with a throw of 131 feet even, and fourth in the shot put with a throw of 37-2 1/4.

“Nalani going out with a big personal record in the discus was a really nice way to finish a stellar career at PHS,” Smith said.

Additional top eight individual placers included senior Shelby Zickefoose who placed fifth in the 3200 meters (11:51.76) and eighth in the 1600 meters (5:27.15); senior Anai Torres placed fifth in the discus (117-6); freshman Anyston Keller took sixth in the 3200 meters (11:58.98); sophomore Abigail Visocky took sixth in the 300 meter hurdles (47.13); senior Audrey Johnson was seventh in the 400 meters (1:00.35) and eighth in the 200 meters (26.56); senior Nyah Johnson placed seventh in the discus (111-5) and sophomore Sam Edgell took eighth in the shot put (34-9 1/2).

The top placing relay team was the 4x400, as Sanders, Kindyle Floy, Johnson and George took third with a time of 4:08.17.

Overall the Panthers finished with 93 points, well ahead of Cody in fourth place with 54.33, but behind Worland in second with 121 as Lander took its third straight team title with 143 points.

“This year was one of the most talented group of 3A kids that I’ve ever seen,” Smith said. “Bringing home a trophy with that type of competition is a great achievement.”

Five point scoring seniors will say goodbye to the Panther program, as Smith feels the Panther girls have plenty to look forward to in the future.

“A lot of young kids come back and they will be fun to watch,” Smith said.

3A STATE TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

P denotes preliminary heat time

Team scores — 1. Lander 143, 2. Worland 121, 3. Powell 93, 4. Cody 54.33, 5. Lovell 47.5, 6. Buffalo 44, T7. Torrington and Douglas 40, 9. Newcastle 26, 10. Mountain View 25.5, 11. Wheatland 19, 12. Lyman 18, 13. Pinedale 13, 14. Burns 12.33, 15. Rawlins 4.33, 16. Glenrock 1

100 meter dash — T14. Kindyle Floy 13.39p

200 meters — 7. Kaytlee George 26.54, 8. Audrey Johnson 26.56

400 meters — 2. Kaytlee George 58.16, 7. Audrey Johnson 1:00.35

800 meters — 6. Karee Cooley 2:23.38

1600 meters — 2. Karee Cooley 5:17.68, 8. Shelby Zickefoose 5:27.15, 13. Anyston Keller 5:37.84

3200 meters — 2. Karee Cooley 11:36.7, 5. Shelby Zickefoose 11:51.76, 6. Anyston Keller 11:58.98

100 meter hurdles — 9. Abigail Visocky 16.97p

300 meter hurdles — 6. Abigail Visocky 47.13

4x100 relay — 6. Averie Warner, Ashlee Jacobsen, Lucy Ostermiller and Kindyle Floy 51.3

4x400 relay — 3. Paige Sanders, Kindyle Floy, Audrey Johnson and Kaytlee George 4:08.17

4x800 relay — 5. Kara Sanders, Lynea Christensen, Anyston Keller and Shelby Zickefoose 10:18.97

1600 sprint medley relay — 6. Paige Sanders, Audrey Johnson, Kaytlee George and Karee Cooley 4:34.25

High jump — 13. Keylyn Knuth 4-7

Pole vault — 10. Kate Williams 8-6

Long jump — 5. Paige Sanders 17-1 1/2

Triple jump — 1. Paige Sanders 38, 12. Lucy Ostermiller 33-11

Shot put — 4. Nalani Jordan 37-2 1/4, 8. Sam Edgell 34-9 1/2

Discus — 2. Nalani Jordan 131, 5. Anai Torres 117-6, 7. Nyah Johnson 111-5