Panthers open cross country season at Glenwood

GLENWOOD -— The Panthers competed in their season-opening meet Saturday in Glenwood with a dozen other Iowa teams.

The girls took a seventh-place finish while the boys came in 11th.

The girls were led by freshman Cora Smith who placed 16th in 21:43.86. The time was less than 10 seconds off the time Payton Davis ran a year ago at the Hawkeye 10 meet. Davis, a senior and the lead runner last season, was still sidelined with an injury, though it’s hopeful she will return soon.

Sophomore Reese Strunk finished 20th with a course PR of 22:17.29, more than a minute faster than her H10 time last year.

Next was newcomer Maylee Riley in 52nd, returning senior Karter Clayton in 55th and rounding out scoring was junior Abby Freeman in 73rd.

Also not competing were freshman Karlie Kruse and junior Grace Keeler.

The boys were led by sophomore Wyatt Goodenberger who placed 27th in 19:23.03, 30 seconds faster than his H10 time.

Hector Suazo placed 33rd, running 19:42.93, his first sub-20 race time and more than two minutes faster than last year.

Kylen Parsons (23:10.45), Colt Key (23:41.63) and Spencer Brown (25:14.43) rounded out the boys team. Johnathon Henry and Austin Jondle did not compete.

The Panthers ran at the Shenandoah Early Bird Tuesday, but results were not available at print time.

Their next meet is Thursday at the Wildcat Classic in Stuart, hosted by West Central Valley.