PHS cross country teams have ‘good day’ at state

Panthers eighth, Lady Panthers 11th

Posted 10/29/19

The Powell High School cross country teams traveled to Afton over the weekend, competing at the 3A State Meet at the Afton Valley View Golf Course.

“Overall, it was a good day for …

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PHS cross country teams have ‘good day’ at state

Panthers eighth, Lady Panthers 11th

Posted

The Powell High School cross country teams traveled to Afton over the weekend, competing at the 3A State Meet at the Afton Valley View Golf Course.

“Overall, it was a good day for us,” said PHS head coach Cliff Boos. “It’s a hilly course in spots, especially on the back stretch, so I’m really impressed with some of the times the kids were able to post. The weather cooperated for the most part, and Star Valley really puts on a good meet; it’s a long drive but worth the trip.”

The Panthers finished eighth in the 14-team field, led by junior Joey Hernandez, who finished 27th with a time of 18:34.40.

“Joey Hernandez was our top runner, and he’s just been so consistent,” said Boos.

Senior Kayla Kolpitcke was the top finisher for the Lady Panthers, ending her high school career with a 16th-place finish, posting a time of 20:56.90. As a team, the Lady Panthers finished 11th.

Star Valley won the boys’ state team title, while Cody was tops on the girls’ side.

Peter Visser of Star Valley finished in the top spot for boys with a time of 16:01.30, while Sydney Thorvaldson of Rawlins was first on the girls’ side with a blistering time of 17:32.70 — nearly two minutes ahead of runner-up Riley Smith of Cody.

“There are some really talented programs in the state, so there was plenty of good competition, that’s for sure,” Boos said.

 

Panthers

Following Hernandez in 32nd place was freshman Daniel Merritt, with a time of 18:43.50.

“Daniel’s been so solid as a freshman, and you don’t usually see boys do as well as he’s done as a freshman,” Boos said. “But he’s from a running family, and they run all year long. You can see the results.”

Senior Dylan Cordes (19:23.60) and junior Lane Franks (19:27.00) finished 51st and 53rd, respectively, while sophomore Riley Schiller was 60th with a time of 19:39.00.

“I was really pleased to see Dylan do so well, because he had some real serious health concerns last year; they weren’t sure he’d be able to run at all this year,” Boos said. “He was just super consistent this season, it was a good way to end his final season. He’s been such a big part of our program over the years.”

Sophomore Cole Frank finished 65th with a time of 19:47.70, while junior Tyler Pfeifer rounded out the Panthers’ contingent finishing 82nd. It was a bittersweet end to the season for Pfeifer, who battled injuries for most of the fall.

“Tyler was the most disappointed of anybody; he didn’t have a good day for himself,” Boos said. “Fortunately, he’s just a junior so he and Joey [Hernandez] will be back next season.”

 

Lady Panthers

Kolpitcke led the Lady Panthers with a 16th place showing in her final high school meet, crossing the finish line in a time of 20:56.90.

“Kayla ran a really nice time on a course that’s really not fast at all,” Boos said. “She is just so solid and determined.”

Sophomore Kabrie Cannon was second for the Lady Panthers, finishing 31st with a time of 22:00.90. She was followed by senior Karina Boreen (23:47.80) and junior Elisa Polson (25:40.50) in 65th and 81st, respectively.

“Kayla, Kabrie and Karina have been our top three all season, and it was really nice to have Karina back; I’m glad she feels good about changing back to running again,” Boos said. “And Elisa had a really good season.”

Junior Hailee Hyde was fifth on the team, finishing 82nd in a time of 25:56.20. Fellow juniors Madelyn Horton (26.28.40) and Kaitlyn Decker (26:47.40) rounded out the Lady Panther contingent, finishing 85th and 89th, respectively.

The Lady Panthers will lose three state competitors to graduation, and Boos said it’s been a special group to coach.

“You just can’t believe how fast the time goes, these kids, most of them I’ve been coaching since they were in seventh grade,” he said. “They’ve just been a really enjoyable group to coach.”

The team has plenty of young runners coming up through the ranks, however, and the longtime coach is excited about the future.

“Both the boys and girls, I’m just really pleased with how they ran all season,” Boos said. “Everyone worked really hard in practice, they really get after it and they have a lot of fun together. Overall, it’s been a very successful season.”

Powell High School, Panther Cross Country

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