Following a fourth place finish a year ago at the state meet in Casper the Powell High School girls’ track team returns plenty of talent to its lineup this year, hoping to move up the rankings in what is expected to be a competitive girls’ 3A field.

Leading the way for the Panthers in returning points is senior Audrey Johnson, who claimed the 400 meter title and added a fifth place finish in the 200 meters, as coach Scott Smith said Johnson returns this year looking strong.

“It’s always nice to have those kids that are coming back that you can count on,” Smith said. “Audrey had a really good indoor season, and she’s in great shape and looking really good. I’m really excited to watch and see what she’s going to do.”

Another top returner is junior Paige Sanders, who took third in the triple jump and seventh in the long jump, and is coming off an indoor season that saw her break the school record in both events.

While Sanders returns to lead the Panthers in those jumps, Smith expects one of the most competitive fields in 3A history as seven of the top eight triple jumpers and six of the top eight long jumpers return from a year ago.

“Some of those girls that were there last year are coming back. This is probably one of the strongest fields, last year and this year, of girls’ horizontal jumps that’s ever happened in 3A,” Smith said. “Paige rises to the occasion. The better the competition, the better she jumps. It’s just fun to watch her go.”

Senior Nalani Jordan is the top returner in the throws, as she finished fifth in the shot put and sixth in the discus along with senior Anai Torres, who also qualified for state last year but just missed on placement in the discus.

“A lot of experience back in that group,” Smith said. “It seems we’ve got some proven talent, they’ve got some state experience and that’s going to be nice to kind of lead the way. There’s some good talent with the younger girls too. I think coach [Zack] Coombs is really excited about what he’s got on that side of the field.”

In the distance events the Panthers have points to replace but expect a stronger showing from junior Karee Cooley who was seventh in the 3200 meters a year ago. That jump is expected following a state cross country title and a strong indoor track season, as she will lead the Panther distance team alongside senior Shelby Zickefoose and a number of young Panther runners.

“She’s (Cooley) running so much better than she was last year. She came back from over the summer and was just ready to roll and hasn’t let up yet,” Smith said. “I’m really looking forward to what she can do. She was breaking records in indoor, and I expect to see some of the same things outdoors too.”

In the sprints the Panthers have a smaller group of competitors, but Smith expects to see jumps from junior Ashlee Jacobsen, freshman Kaytlee George who set new indoor records in the 200 and 400 meters, as well as senior Averie Warner who placed seventh in the 100 meters at outdoor state a year ago.

“I’m really excited. I think our girls’ team is going to be really, really deep all the way across,” Smith said. “It’s going to be fun to watch as the season goes on.”

In the team race Smith expects a close battle at the top this year, with Lander likely the early favorite returning several of their top point getters after winning last year by 74 points over second place.

“Indoor, they (Lander) didn’t have a lot but they had an awfully good girls’ basketball team. Of course they’ve got the best thrower that’s ever existed in Wyoming on the girls’ side. They’ll be very good,” Smith said. “Cody will be solid and very deep. Torrington is looking like they have some high end stuff too … Worland will be good … Girls are going to be very, very competitive across the state. There’s gonna be a lot of talent.”

The Panthers won’t have to travel far to kick off their season, making the short trip to Cody for an invitational at 11 a.m. Friday. The listed attendees are expected to be 4A Campbell County, Cody, Lovell, Powell, Worland and 2A Thermopolis.

“This will just let our kids that have done it before get a couple events in. They’re all chomping at the bit to go and we’ll let them get after it,” Smith said.