As week one of practice comes to a close, both Panorama Panther cross country teams begin their early paths back to the state meet.

Both teams are coming off of back-to-back state meet births with plenty of returners to get the job done this year. The Lady Panther cross country team returns their full slate of 7 letter winning starters and a total of 18 runners on the roster. The Panther boys return some firepower as well with four of the 7 state meet runners from last year. As of now the Panther boys squad has 13 runners on the roster.

As coach Thompson looks to send both talented teams back to the hallowed state meet grounds, he mentioned to Raccoon Valley Radio how it all starts with the basics with early practices.

“First just get their base training in. We spend basically the first two weeks with base training. We do have them do a time trial a week from Thursday just to get them a feeling of this is what a race feels like. That’s a good welcome back so on the 17th of August we’re going to have that time trial and run a full 5K if the weather cooperates,” explained coach Thompson

Coach Thompson went on to explain both the timing and mental benefits that the early time trials will have on the athletes.

“We do that (time trials) because our first race is on August 24th so we get them mentally prepared of hey, I’m going to be racing on Thursdays, this is what it feels like,” explained coach Thompson.

Panorama’s first meet of the season will be a road trip to Guthrie Center on August 24th and will include an 11 team field.