PhotoFest: State Girls Cross Country

The Girls Cross Country season concluded on Saturday at the Cheyenne Country Club with the State Championships in super-nice weather.

In Class 2A, Jessie Michaels of Burlington prevailed in 20.49.70. Not bad considering that she didn't run cross country a year ago and played volleyball. She did place 2nd in the 1A 1600 and 3200 meter races at the 2022 State Track Meet. Kylie Benim of Wright was 2nd in 21.45.60 and Marilee Williams of Saratoga was 3rd in 22.02.50. She finished 2nd at last year's state championships. Dai' Onna Posey from Wyoming Indian was 4th with Big Horn's Ava Byrd taking 5th.

Wright won the 2A team title with 30 points and that was the Panthers 1st state championship since 2007. Wyoming Indian was 2nd with 39, Burlington 3rd with 51, Tongue River 4th with 62, and Thermopolis 5th with 87.

In 3A, Zena Tapia of Worland outdistanced Ameya Eddy of Lander for the state title as Tapia ran 19.33.30 and Eddy finished 20.05.10. Tapa took 5th at the state meet a year ago and Eddy was the defending 3A state champion. Buffalo's Maya Hall was 3rd in 20.18.00 with Lillie Kirkham of Cody 4th and Karee Cooley of Powell 5th.

Powell took the top of the podium in the 3A girl's team standings with 65 points and that was their first state title since 2010. Cody who took first last season placed 2nd this season with 76 points, Evanston 3rd with 84, Buffalo 4th with 139, and Green River 5th with 141.

In 4A, Madison Antonino proved once again that she is one of the premier distance runners in the state. She competes for Jackson in cross country and won the state championship with a time of 18.17.20. She placed 2nd at state a year ago and is the defending 3A 3200-meter champion in track and field competing for Pinedale. Ally Wheeler of Natrona took 2nd in 18.58 40 and she is the defending state champion in Nordic Skiing in both the classic and freestyle events. NC's Ashley Gross was 3rd in 19.19. 70, Maggie Madsen of Cheyenne East was 4th with Rian Cordell-Reiner of Cheyenne Central was 5th.

A year ago, Central placed 1st and Natrona 2nd in the 4A Girls team standings, and this year, Natrona took 1st with 50 points and Central was 2nd with 55. Laramie placed 3rd with 102, Sheridan 4th with 117 and Jackson 5th with 133. It was the Fillies 1st state title since 2019.

Take a look at our video of the girls' races on Saturday and some fantastic photos from Libby Ngo in our gallery below. Enjoy!