Many coaches across Iowa are proponents of multisport athletes including Panorama head track coach Greg Thompson. Thompson was a guest on Monday’s Karl Chevrolet of Stuart Guthrie County PM Sports Page and spoke about his team’s recent events. He verified that the Panther girls track team will compete in four events at this week’s 109th running of the Drake Relays. Junior Morgan Johnk will compete as an individual in the high jump and 100-meter hurdles race. Junior Lydia Knapp qualified for the discus throw, and the 4×100 meter squad of Carson Fisher, Johnk, Bailey Beckman, Devyn Kemble (Alternates Kassidy Bremer and Hope Arganbright) will also compete at the Blue Oval. Almost every single Panorama track athlete who qualified for Drake also competes in at least one other sport at Panorama Community Schools, and Thompson encourages his student-athletes to stay involved. “Do something in the fall whether it’s volleyball, cross country, or football; get out and do something in the fall.” Thompson said, “We want you playing basketball or going out for wrestling (too).”

Thompson adds if nothing else, competing in a different sport keeps you in good athletic shape. Beckman, Bremer, Johnk, Kemble, and Knapp were all members of Panorama’s state qualifying girl’s basketball team this winter. Kemble was also a scoring runner on the state qualifying Panorama Panther cross country team this fall. Carson Fisher and Johnk also competed during the fall season on Panorama volleyball team. The high school events of this year’s Drake Relays begin tomorrow evening at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. Listen to the Raccoon Valley Radio Network throughout the week for updates.