The state ranked Panorama Panthers girls cross county team huddles up prior to running the Panorama Invitational September 14 at the Lake Panorama Par 3 Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Greg Thompson/Panorama Cross Country.

Five weeks into the season and both Panorama Panthers cross country teams are among the best 20 Class 1A squads in the state. The Iowa Association of Track Coaches (IATC) compile weekly team and individual rankings for all levels of cross country and released their week five poll on Tuesday. The rankings consist of the top 15 teams from each class and five teams to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Fresh off a team championship at the Panorama Invitational last week, the Panther girls cross country team is Class 1A’s No. 9 ranked squad. Freshman Ella Waddle also represents Panorama in the girl’s individual poll. She’s rated as the 12th best runner in Class 1A and is the highest ranked freshman in the state. Panorama’s boys cross country team is one of the squads in the Class 1A Team’s to Watch section. They are the third team on the list behind Earlham and Newmann Mason City. Panorama doesn’t have a runner a part of this week’s boys individual poll.

The Panthers boys and girls cross country teams return to competition today in the Audubon Cross Country meet. The varsity girls race starts at 4:55 p.m. and the boys will run at 5:20 p.m. at the Audubon Golf & Country Club.