The head wrestling coach of the Panorama Panthers says the road to Wells Fargo Arena should be challenging for his athletes. The Iowa High School Athletic Association released postseason wrestling assignments for all classes recently, and Panorama finds themselves in the Class 1A District 1 field, comprised of 15 regional schools separated into two sectionals. The Panthers are in Class 1A Section 1 with wrestlers from AC/GC, Colfax-Mingo, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Interstate 35, Martensdale-St Marys, Ogden, and South Hamilton. Class 1A Section 2 features athletes from Audubon, Exira/EHK, Logan-Magnolia, Missouri Valley, West Central Valley, West Harrison, and Woodbine. The sectional tournament is on Saturday February 3 with Section 1 wrestlers competing at Ogden and section two at Missouri Valley. The top two wrestlers from each weight class will advance to the district tournament at AC/GC High School in Guthrie Center the following Saturday.

Panorama head wrestling coach Jason Kirtley joined this week’s Karl Chevrolet of Stuart Guthrie County PM Sports Page to discuss his thoughts on the team’s postseason draw. Kirtley admits the road to state is tougher for his wrestlers this winter. “You got to beat the best to be the best. The guys who make it through this section and district this year, nothing’s given, but I think it’s going to be a lot easier to place (at state).” Kirtley said,” You’re going to get rid of some of the guys in sectionals and district that would be in our way down at state. Although it’s harder, and it sucks, our guys need to know they can’t always take the easy route (to state).”

Three of Panorama’s five state qualifiers from last season return including Gunnar Grunsted, Dalton Holmes, and Dan Jensen
The newest season of Panorama Panthers wrestling starts November 28 in Glidden. The Panthers competes against sectional member Coon Rapids-Bayard, Southeast Valley, and Manson NW Webster.