There’s no doubt that the start to the 2017 season has been successful for both Panorama cross country teams after the girls finished second and the boys third in the ACGC invite.

As both teams progress through the season, it’ll be business as usual from last year for the Lady Panthers who bring back a full compliment of returning experience. For the Panther boys, while they do retain the likes of front runners Danny Nordquist and Josh Carstens among others, their path will be a little different.

The Panther boys did loose some valuable pieces from last years team and coming into this year nearly half the roster is made up of underclassmen or athletes that have entered the sport of cross country for the first time. Certainly a lot yet to learn for a good portion of the Panther boys roster and the biggest hurdle awaiting the inexperience as coach Thompson told Raccoon Valley Radio, won’t be the level of competition but the number of competition.

“Think the biggest thing about cross country is just the sheer numbers versus a track meet where you’re dealing with 8-16 people at the starting line but with cross country you are dealing with 70, 75, 125 people on the starting line. So just getting used to that and the pushing and shoving that might happen, that just takes time getting used to. Once the race starts to thin out and it goes single file it’s learning to compete, run with people that try to pass you or give those little spurts to catch up or do whatever it takes to be competitive,” stated coach Thompson.

Tomorrow the Panther boys will get the chance to gain more experience as they join up with the Lady Panthers in tackling the 5 x 80 golf course in Menlo. Both meets are set to begin at 4:30 pm.