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SHERIDAN - A year later, a year better.

After sweeping the 3A East regional championship on Oct. 13, the Worland High School cross-country program continued to build on their success Saturday at the 3A State cross-country meet in Sheridan, both the Warriors and Lady Warriors finished third, bringing home hardware for the first time in close to 20 years.

"It's been about 20 years since both teams were able to bring home trophies. It's exciting to see our program continue to build. I love state because the value of your fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh runners comes into play. They're crucial and you depend a lot on those runners, I think it's good for them to feel that importance too," said WHS cross-country coach Tanya Kienlen.

Both teams improved on their finishes from last season, in 2016 the Warriors were fourth and the Lady Warriors ninth.

Star Valley's Asefa Wetzel (16:28.38) won the individual 3A state championship, but Worland's Porter Harman (16:39.62) finished second, diving across the finish line to beat out Star Valley's Wesley Kallgren, and has made up ground on Wetzel from last season. In 2016, Harman ran a 17:08.98 finishing fourth, while Wetzel was second with a time of 16:26.25.

"He had to dive in to get second place. His progression has been huge and monumental. He sets goals for himself and aspires to them, it will continue to get better and better for him," said Kienlen about Harman's performance Saturday.

Placing in the top three at State takes a team effort and when you are competing against the best-of-the-best, every point matters. It is like Kienlen said each runner comes into play and can help the team achieve the dream.

"That's how we prepped going into state. It was a numbers game and every opponent you passed mattered, so our goal was to pass with authority to get the numbers behind you. I think that made the difference for us Saturday," said Kienlen.

As for passing with authority, each Worland runner executed that strategy to a tee. When a Worland runner found an opening to pass, they capitalized and never looked back.

"I think they did a great job of applying strategies. They were mentally prepared and had some great videos and letters from the athletes that didn't join us. The team morale was high and they applied all the strategies they knew and trusted in their training, and it worked out like it was supposed to," said Kienlen.

The wind was also a factor Saturday at the V.A. Hospital Grounds, but Worland was mentally prepared for that as well.

"We did strategize with the wind and drafting came into play. But more of a mental state they had to get through because that's one more block in their mental bag to get past," said Kienlen.

Kienlen was proud of all of her runners Saturday, each of them stuck to their training and gave it their all on the final race of 2017.

"Overall everyone's efforts were tremendous. Brooke Flock came down with the flu and she ran under the weather. It wasn't her finest race but she knew that the team needed her and gave it everything she had.

"Lauren Anderson, it was her last race, and she pushed the Rawlins fifth runner. She pushed behind her and that kept our third position, instead of dropping to fourth, that was huge of her. Normally she's our sixth or seventh runner but ended up finishing as fifth. It just shows that you may be the fifth or sixth runner but you're pushing those other numbers behind," said Kienlen.

Senior Jadon Swalstad just missed out on completing his Warrior career with four All-State selections, a runner has to finish in the top 10 to earn All-State, but his role as one of the leaders of the team was invaluable and helped the team accomplish all they did this season.

"That was tough, he's been a three-time All-State runner. He knew going in it was going to be tough, he battled some injuries this season, but he knew despite that, his leadership role on the team was key and continued to lead his teammates to get where they are," said Kienlen.

Bringing home hardware was a goal for Worland this season and Kienlen is proud of her runners for all the hard work they put into this season, but that success has made Kienlen eager to bring back an even better trophy next season.

"It makes me hungry for more. Third place is a huge honor, but I believe our team can continue to strive for better. We're shooting now to be in the top two and I believe they have that capability," said Kienlen.

Thankfully, Kienlen's returning runners for the 2018 season feel the exact same way and are ready to put in the work during the offseason to aim for those top spots.

"That was totally exciting afterward hearing the kids talk how they want to be better next season. For example, Rylan Mocko and others were already saying what they were going to do in the summer to get better. I think the mindset as a team is we want to come back and be even stronger. To do that it's going to take work in the offseason and they all seem focused on the goal to improve," said Kienlen.

Results from the state meet are as follows.

Girls

15, Kelli Holiday, 21:11.59.

20, Lindsey Holiday, 21:23.94.

41, Paige Flock, 23:07.03.

50, Hailee Hunter, 23:30.37.

61, Lauren Andersen, 24:13.00.

63, Brooke Flock, 24:20.12.

75, Tatum Zimmerman, 24:51.44.

Boys

2, Porter Harman, 16:39.62.

16, Jadon Swalstad, 17:47.78.

23, Nathaniel Nelson, 18:00.50.

30, Rylan Mocko, 18:14.44.

41, Victor Olvera, 18:30.25.

43, Jaden Mickelson, 18:35.53.

47, Gabe Webster, 18:46.69.