After one of the strongest seasons in a dozen years for the Powell Panther girls’ cross country team, the Panthers return a wealth of talent in 2023 after a third place finish a year ago — while a smaller Panther boys’ team hopes to grow with one senior on the roster.

GIRLS AIM HIGH

Just a year ago the Panther girls earned the first trophy at the state championships since 2010, and the Panthers have their sights set high this season after returning nearly the entire roster from a year ago.

“We definitely have the goal to get on the podium again,” coach Ashley Hildebrand said.

The lone graduate for the team came from Megan Jacobsen, who ended up being the sixth runner for the team at state after consistently placing between third and seventh for the team throughout the season.

Leading the way will be school record holder and All-State selection Kinley Cooley, who will look to build on a seventh place finish a year ago after two seniors who finished ahead of her graduated.

Just behind her will be fellow junior Kenna Jacobsen, who will try and make the jump into the top 10 after finishing 14th a year ago.

Another junior on the roster is Jordan Black who made a late season jump to finish third for the team at state, while sophomore Melissa Merritt will also look to contend in her second year on the team.

Another loss for the Panthers came in their fifth runner at state, with sophomore Audrey Johnson opting to sit out the fall season due to an injury and instead manage the team.

“It is sad that we are losing Audrey because she was an integral part of our state team,” Hildebrand said. “Obviously her knee health is more important, and she is taking this season off. She is going to go out for track because those shorter sprints are not causing her any problems.”

The final runner across for the Panthers a year ago was now senior Brynn Hillman, who is expected to be in contention for a state spot once again.

Other returning runners include senior Gracie Wolff, junior Salem Brown and sophomore Shelby Zickefoose.

“We have more girls that are going to compete,” Hildebrand said. “I think we are going to see girls go back and forth between JV and varsity throughout the season and then we will make that decision at the end of the season who our best seven are for state.”

In addition to returning a strong roster from last year, the Panthers also bring in a strong freshman class that will include five runners, along with a sophomore, Myah Rakness, returning to cross country after not participating last year but having a strong track season. 

All of them are expected to be in a strong mix of talent this year that is expected to contend alongside the top two finishing teams last year in Cody and Evanston.

“The girls have said that they are gunning for first, they have that goal that they want to win state,” Hildebrand said. “They have a lot of talent, they work really hard … They have an opportunity to get into that top three and the drive to challenge for that top spot.”

BOYS REGROUP

Heading into this season the Panther boys’ team returns several runners from last year’s team, but will look to replace its top runners.

The top spot needing replaced will be the frontrunner for the Panthers the past several seasons — school record holder Daniel Merritt.

Two runners return to the team from the state squad last season include sophomore Korbyn Warren and junior Liam Taylor.

Other returning runners include sophomore Colin Walker and lone senior on the team, Jon Hawley from last season.

“Korbyn and Liam alongside Colin have been running this summer,” Hildebrand said. “Liam and Korbyn are coming off really good track seasons where they made a lot of gains so it will be fun to see how they compete this year.”

The roster includes three new runners this season including two freshmen and one sophomore as the Panthers look to grow with a smaller squad as every athlete will have an opportunity to run varsity competition at some point this season.

BILLINGS KICKS OFF SEASON

Continuing with tradition, the Panthers will head north into Montana on Friday to take part in the Billings Invitational.

“In Billings it is just nice to see where they are at,” Hildebrand said. “It gives us a good gauge to see where they are at from their summer training.”