Young Panthers run well at junior high state cross country meet

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Panorama's cross country team and coaches pose at Thursday's WCAC meet in Panora. The Panther grade 7-8 teams competed in their state meet Sunday. Photo courtesy Greg Thompson.

ANKENY — Panorama had four boys and three girls earn medals at Sunday’s junior high state cross country meet. The event, hosted by Ankeny Centennial, give grade 7-8 runners a chance to compete in a final two-mile race of the season against top competition.

Strong winds and muddy conditions combined to slow times for all runners, but the Panorama teams managed to produce a combined nine season-best, seven lifetime-best and three course-best times.

Springville-Central City won the girls 1A title with 34 points, with Pekin second at 47 and Twin Cedars third at 54. English Valleys was fourth at 73, with Panorama besting defending champion Earlham for sixth place, 83-98.

Payton Beckman was 14th overall in 14 minutes, 2 seconds, with Laci Rishel 15th in 14:07 and Grace Webner 43rd in 15:13. All three earned medals, which were awarded to all top-50 finishers.

Carley VanGundy placed 57th in 16:28 and Ella Knapp 58th in 16:28 [sic] with Abbi Holloway 71st in 18:22.

Central Springs (31), Holy Trinity (50) and Starmont (65) claimed the top three boys spots, with Panorama eighth with 91 points.

Kevin Cogil crossed 18th in 12:53, with Avery Norman (45th, 14:31), Jordan Wehmeyer (46th, 14:32) and Alec Mills (49th, 14:40) running in a pack while Ethan Olsen crossed 56th in 15:19.

“Overall, I thought the teams ran well,” Panorama head coach Greg Thompson said. “Kevin just missed another school record by three seconds. All five boys ran their best time ever, as did Ella and Carley. With some more training and some time in the weight room, the eighth graders could be a nice addition to the high school teams in looking forward to next season.”

The Panther high school harriers will run at their State Qualifying meet in Mount Ayr Thursday.

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