PANORA — Panorama was one of only six Class 1A schools to send both their boys and girls cross country teams to the state meet last season. With no losses to graduation, the Panther girls are loaded with both talent and experience, and while the boys have a hole or two to fill, every indication is they are be expected to run in Fort Dodge again this year.
“I am excited for the season,” veteran head coach Greg Thompson admitted. “The team has been working hard and looks good right now.”
“The girls have some good depth with at least eight runners having state meet experience,” he added. “For the boys, the success of the season will come from senior class experience and leadership, but will also relay on the development of our new guys.”
The Panther girls have a rich history, having won seven WCAC titles (including each of the last four years) and have appeared at the state meet nine times since 2006, with ’08 and ’11 the the lone exceptions.
Senior Devyn Kemble will be a key leader, as will senior Brianna Hoffman while freshman Ella Waddle joins the varsity after finishing as state runner-up in the eighth grade state meet, a tourney Panorama won. Freshman Gwen Steffen was a scoring member on the that squad and will also be in the hunt for a varsity slot.
“Devyn and Ella are looking very good right now,” Thompson said. “Brianna is also strong, but is dealing with some lower back issues. At this point the remaining varsity spots could go to several girls and will probably change throughout the season.”
Also on the roster are senior Maddie Knapp, juniors Brooklyn Behrends, Lydia Knapp, Masie Knapp, Taylor Rishel, Emily Smtih, Bryn Steffen and Jaelyn Waddle, who switched from volleyball this season. Sophomores Anna Holloway, Lydia Lindstrom, Molly Simmons and Chloe Webster are also out, as are freshmen Abby Cobb, Olivia Steffen and Shey Storesund.
Despite having four consecutive WCAC titles to their credit, Thompson said the Panther girls cannot afford to be complacent.
“We are going to have some tight battles with AC/GC this season if we can both stay healthy,” Thompson said. “Earlham could also be good as they had a competitive eighth grade team which will have moved up.”
The Panorama boys own nine WCAC titles, the last of which came in 2010, the first year the team ran at the state meet prior to last season.
Returning this year are seniors Josh Carstens, Danny Nordquist, Kaleb Randel and Sam Webster, all of whom ran at state last year. Senior Erik Olsen could play a role, with senior Brady Howard out for the sport for the first time.
“Josh and Danny were both individual qualifiers to state last season and look good in practice so far,” Thompson said. “They both put in many miles over the summer, so I can excited to see how that shows in the early races. I also have to say Sam is also looking improved over last season, and Kaleb just returned from basic training for the military, so he should be in good shape as well.”
First-year harriers Noah Kirtley and Levi Richey join Drew Hafner as the three juniors on the team, with rookie runner Emry Colby part of a sophomore class that also includes Coltin Stogdill and Lucas Wasson, while freshmen Logan Christie and Paul Hansen are also on the team.
“Emry, Levi and Noah will be good additions to the team,” Thompson said. “It may take a few races for them to get in shape and learn how to run a 5K, but I see some good potential.”
Thompson said state-qualifying teams AC/GC and Earlham will pose tough challenges atop the WCAC standings, despite the Chargers losing much of their varsity talent to graduation while the Cardinals had two of their top five depart.
The season opens Thursday at AC/GC with a trip to 5 x 80 Golf Course in Menlo for the West Central Valley invite slated for August 31.
The Panthers will run at home twice, with the Panorama Invitational on tap September 14 while the Lake Panorama Par 3 to host the WCAC meet October 12.
