AUDUBON — The Panorama cross country squads visited ran in unseasonably muggy conditions Thursday at the Wheeler Invitational, and, despite the challenges, performed at a high level.
“The conditions for this meet were awful,” Panorama head coach Greg Thompson said. “The heat and humidity were very high and it affected the girls and junior high runners. The girls (varsity) were actually losing by a wide margin in the middle of the race, but they stayed strong mentally and made up places during the second half of the race.”
Class 1A No. 7 Panorama and Missouri Valley — who was ranked in 2A earlier in the season — tied with 46 points apiece, but a tiebreaker nod went to the Panthers as having the higher finish by their first non-scoring (sixth) runner. AC/GC was third at 66, Tri-Center fourth at 88 and Riverside fifth at 98.
AC/GC’s Kate Crawford (ranked ninth) and Emma Swanson (rated 15th) were 1-2 in 21 minutes, 31 seconds and 22:22 respectively, with 2A No. 12 Alexis Cook of Missouri Valley third in 22:36.
Panorama’s Brianna Hoffman is ranked 17th in 1A and was just two seconds behind Cook, finishing fourth in 22:38. Devyn Kemble was fifth in 23:18, with Taylor Rishel (11th, 26:20), Lydia Knapp (12th, 26:22) and Lydia Lindstrom (14th, 26:31) also scoring. Brookyln Behrends (17th, 27:03) and Emily Smith (18th, 27:18) also ran for the varsity.
Panorama’s boys are rated 6th in 1A and were third Thursday with 74 points, trailing Nodaway Valley’s impressive winning total of 20 points and AC/GC’s 49. Tri-Center (103), Missouri Valley (125), Riverside (180), Audubon (188) and IKM-Manning (205) completed the field.
Nodaway Valley’s Shane Breheny (18:11) and Brycen Wallace (18:25) were followed by AC/GC’s Landon Foster (18:33) in seizing the top three individual spots.
“The boys race conditions were a little better as some cloud cover and a light wind developed,” Thompson noted. “The boys ran very well.”
Scoring for the Panthers were Danny Nordquist (9th, 19:14), Mitch Wagler (10th, 19:15), George Appleseth (13th, 19:29), Josh Carstens (14th, 19:37) and Sam Webster (28th, 20:19). Kaleb Randel (34th, 21:05) and Austin Behrends (39th, 22:04) also ran for the Panther varsity.
Chloe Webster (27:20), Bryn Steffen (28:02), Maddie Knapp (31:03), Mallorie Pittman (31:10), Maggie Smith (31:48) and Maisie Knapp (31:58) all navigated the course for the Panther girls junior varsity the boys JV represented by Tyler VanHouten (22:36), Drew Hafner (22:46), Bryant Thompson (22:59), Tanner Kuta (24:21), Lucas Wasson (24:59), Jared Stagge (23;35) and Colton Stogdill (25:16).
A two-mile middle school race was also held at the meet. Running for the Panorama girls were: Ella Waddle (13:23), Angel Poldberg (15:28), Laci Rishel (16:08), Gwen Steffen (16:20), Olivia Steffen (16:54), Grace Webner (17:44), Abby Cobb (18:04), Gracie Phillips (21:20), Abbi Holloway (21:42), Rachel Marwedel (23:05) and Kinsey Muyskens (26:31).
Logan Christe (16:55), Paul Hansen (17:39), Kevin Cogil (18:20) and Avery Norman (20:40) competed for the Panther middle school boys.
Thompson was pleased with the efforts of his entire squad, particularly the varsity units.
“Both teams are listening to the their coaches,” he said. “We have been focusing on correct running form and strategies for uphill and downhill running. Many of the athletes commented after the race they tried to follow what they were told and said it helped.”
Panorama will be in action next on Thursday with a visit to the 5×80 Golf Course in Menlo for the WCV Invitational. All three levels of teams will compete.
