A new course tested the Powell Panther golf teams over two days, with the boys posting their best team score of the season on day one before battling to a fifth place finish at the West Conference championships while the girls fought hard as well Friday and Saturday in Green River.

The top finish on the weekend came from Coy Erickson, who was consistent with rounds of 102 and 101 to finish five strokes out of All-Conference to take 14th.

“Coy played very well on a new course,” coach Troy Hildebrand said. “She finished just five shots out of All-Conference and she just continues to improve and gain confidence.”

In her first all-conference rounds Emery Hernandez had a tough hole in each round that raised her score, but posted solid scores of 113 and 105 on both days.

“She is doing a lot of things better and is kind of figuring out tournament golf,” Hildebrand said.

Erika Cook of Lovell ran away with the individual title with rounds of 68 and 71 while Evanston won the team race for the girls.

On the boys’ side, Evanston ran away with the team title after posting all five rounds in the 70s or lower both days paced by Rykr Lind who shot 72 and 69.

Powell tied for third with Pinedale after day one after posting its best team round score of the season at 331, before a 350 on Saturday dropped the Panthers to fifth.

The team was led by Cody Fisher, who had rounds of 80 and 89 to finish in a tie for 15th.

“He did an excellent job of keeping his composure and really did a great job handling playing that well for the first time,” Hildebrand said. “It was nice to see him play that well as a freshman as he secured his spot on the state team.”

One stroke behind in 17th was Gunnar Erickson, who finished with rounds of 82 and 88 after a pair of bad holes Saturday tacked his score higher.

Third on the team was Jackson Hill, who posted the best individual round of the weekend for the Panthers with a 79 on Friday before a 92 on the second day put him into a tie for 18th.

“Jackson posted his first tournament round in the 70s on Friday with his 79,” Hildebrand said. “While he wasn’t able to maintain the same momentum Saturday he had a great weekend and as well as he knows the Worland course he’ll be expecting two solid rounds next week.”

Tying with Hill was Trey Scott, who had a tough Friday with a 90 before an 81 on Saturday helped push him up the standings.

Andrew Jones was fifth for the Panthers, ending with rounds of 86 and 90, to secure the final spot for the Panthers’ state team.

“He has a ton of talent and when he gets things going he is capable of some very good golf,” Hildebrand said. “We’ll be looking for him to carry this positive stretch right into next week.”

Isaiah Woyak came in sixth for the team, finishing with rounds of 100 and 88.

Will Jackson finished seventh for the Panthers with scores of 101 and 93.

The final Panther competing at conference was Parker Williams who carded rounds of 101 and 95, as Hildebrand noted these three seniors will be extremely missed on the team next fall for their consistent play and positive attitudes out on the course.

STATE TOURNAMENT

Powell will now wrap up its season on the road, making the trip down to Worland to take part in the 3A State Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

Hildebrand said that he expects the boys’ title to be a shootout between Riverton and Evanston as Riverton’s Parker Paxton will be seeking his fourth straight individual title.

Cook will also be seeking her fourth straight individual title on the girls’ side, as Hildebrand expects Wheatland and Evanston to push each other for the team title.

Powell is expected to be in the mix for individual All-State spots, while being in a group of teams chasing a third place trophy at the tournament.

“If we are able to put our best foot forward for two days we could have a couple players battling for those top 10 spots,” Hildebrand said.