With the second semester starting at PHS, the indoor track athletes are looking to kick off their season.

The team hopes to improve from previous years, as they’ve never brought home an indoor track trophy or even placed. They’ve made it their goal for the season to level up. 

“For the team, it would be really cool if we could place, because we’ve never done that before,” senior Kate Williams said. “I hope that as we continue to work, that we can just improve as a team and strive for that placing.”

Practices began on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at the high school. The team practices outside as they are one of many teams in Wyoming without proper indoor track facilities. 

“I think there are some disadvantages to schools that don’t have indoor facilities,” junior Lincoln Crawford said. “It doesn’t give us the option and availability for practice that other schools do, but we still find other ways to practice.”

Another challenge the Panthers face is traveling. Powell and many other schools have to make their way 234 miles over the Bighorn Mountains to Gillette every weekend to compete.

“First of all, we don’t have indoor facilities so we never really know where we are going to practice, whether that’s outside at the high school, Parkside, or the middle school,” Williams said. “Also, driving to Gillette every week, we don’t get that home court advantage, and that automatically puts us at a disadvantage.”

At practice, the PHS athletes work hard to accomplish their goals, making it a priority to get in peak condition and work on the small things that matter.

“We’re all just working on getting in shape, staying healthy, working on technique, and taking care of our bodies so we can perform the best we can,” Crawford said. “I think just staying consistent in our practices and workouts and holding each other accountable will allow us to earn our first indoor track trophy.” 

Head Coach Scott Smith has high expectations for the athletes this year and believes they have what it takes to compete.

“Seeing some good speed out there with the sprinters and jumpers,” Coach Smith said. “Talking to the assistant coaches, they’ve been having great practices.”

Coach Smith stressed how important staying healthy is to the team’s success, especially early on in the season.

“We have the talent to do it,” Coach Smith said. “We just have to make sure we stay uninjured and get people in the right places.” 

In the past, the team has been affected by injury, holding athletes back from their potential. 

“We make sure that with each workout, we’re doing our best and trying not to get hurt,” Williams said. “We’re conditioning early on and working on technique in warmups and while we’re working out. It’s really important to take care of yourself.”

Going into this year, the Powell Panther track athletes have high expectations for themselves and their teammates. They’re putting together the pieces to have a successful season and hopefully get their first placement at state.

“We work hard during practice,” freshman Carson Howe said. “And we do the best that we can. Even if we’re tired, we’ll work as a team.”