A new race setting and fresh competition gave the Powell Panther cross country team a unique opportunity on Friday — heading north into Montana to take part in the Fergus Eagle Invitational in Lewistown where the Panther girls finished second and the boys earned two top 10 finishers. 

Leading the way for the first time this season on a new course for the girls was Kenna Jacobsen, who finished in sixth with a time of 20:41.9.

“She ran an excellent race and is proving to be a consistent and confident threat for those top spots,” coach Ashley Hildebrand said.

Just behind Jacobsen was the sister duo of Kinley and Karee Cooley — older sister Kinley finished in eighth with a time of 21:09 and Karee finished in ninth with a 21:24.

Powell’s fourth runner was Myah Rakness, who finished in 16th with a time of 22:19 and rounding out the top five was Melissa Merritt with a time of 22:24 to take 18th.

“We look for these two to break into the 21s very soon as they both ran very good times on this course,” Hildebrand said.

The final varsity runners for the Panthers included Eleasah Horsley who placed 22nd in a time of 22:44 and Jordan Black in 24th with a 22:48.

“They are getting better with each race and were not fazed by this challenging course,” Hildebrand said.

As a team the Panther girls placed second, finishing well ahead of third place’s 129 points with 57 points but behind Hardin, Montana, which finished with 36.

In the varsity boys’ race the Panthers had a strong pair of finishers, with Liam Taylor and Korbyn Warren each earning top 10 finishes.

Taylor finished in ninth place (17:56.5) while Warren was close behind in 10th with an 18:07.7.

“It was great to see both of those guys break into the top 10 in a field of 93 runners and to have them consistently placing high each week,” Hildebrand said.

The third runner on varsity for Powell was Colin Walker, who finished in 52nd (20:59).

Hildebrand said she was happy with the results for all three runners and is excited to see faster times as the Panthers progress onto flatter courses later in the season.

In junior varsity, the girls had a strong showing where Shelby Zickefoose won the race (23:06); Gracie Wolff finished second (23:47) and Ashlee Jacobsen took fifth (24:47).

“These girls were not hampered at all by the hills, and on the steepest second of the course where many kids had to walk, these three powered up the hill and were able to gap most of the field,” Hildebrand said.

The remaining boys raced in the junior varsity race, where Nathan Varian finished in 16th (21:34); Thomas Shuman placed 25th (22:22) and Jon Hawley finished in 35th (23:26).

After the quick pit stop in Montana, Powell will return to Wyoming for the rest of the season — starting close to home on Thursday with the Foxes and Hounds Invitational in Cody.

Race times are 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Olive Glenn Golf Club.