On Feb. 5, Powell High School (PHS) senior Kinley Cooley signed her letter of intent to run Cross-Country for the Montana State University (MSU) Bobcats. Kinley ran all her life and received an opportunity most athletes don’t get.

With an illustrious career built up, Kinley made the official choice to continue the passion she found at a young age.

“Doing sports after high school at the collegiate level has always been a dream of mine,” Cooley said. “At one point I hoped to be a collegiate swimmer, but I guess we see how all that turned out.”

Swimming and running were the two activities Kinley greatly enjoyed growing up. However, her love for running was sparked after participating in her first 5K while in first grade. Since then, Kinley has cemented herself as one of the top runners in the state.

Significant Track and Cross-Country records at PHS, such as the 1600 and 3200 meter races, 4×800 meter relay, and the 5K all fell due to Kinley’s efforts.

“It has been amazing to watch Kinley meet and exceed my expectations for her,” Head Cross-Country Coach and history teacher Mrs. Ashley Hildebrand said. “She is a joy to coach and just a wonderful person all the way around. She is dedicated and smart about her training and has shown that she can bounce back after experiencing some setbacks.”

Kinley’s devoted workouts aided her in earning multiple scholarships from different schools. Regardless, MSU’s pleasant environment ultimately made the decision a little easier.

“Part of the appeal of Montana State is the atmosphere of the campus, and it’s kind of indescribable,” Kinley Cooley said. “You just have to go there to understand it … I feel like on my visit, the girls on that team were so welcoming.”

While the MSU team made Kinley feel right at home, she did more of the same to those who will continue to run in her hometown. The leadership she brought to the Lady Panthers was significant in their recent success.

“[Kinley’s] definitely very motivating for everyone,” sophomore Karee Cooley said. “When we’re up before a race, she always has something good to say to keep us all in a good mental space.”

On top of her mentorship, something that goes unseen among Kinley’s peers is the amount of her own time she uses to better herself. While her typical team practices contribute to her achievements, the real work happens in silence.

“Kinley is the most committed to running than anyone I’ve ever seen,” Karee Cooley said. “She always makes sure she can make time for running. The dedication she has really helped her come so far from where she was.”

As Kinley gets closer to graduation, leaving the rest of the younger classmen who participate in similar athletics, she leaves with inspirational advice to them.

“I think some of the most valuable advice I can give to anyone who wants to run at the collegiate level is that you don’t need to be the fastest in your state or even the fastest on your team,” Kinley Cooley said. “You just need to exhibit a hard work ethic and put yourself out there.”