The final postseason run for three seniors on the Panorama Panthers wrestling team started with first-place finishes at this weekend’s sectional tournament. The Panthers were in Ogden Saturday for the Class 1A Section 1 tournament against wrestlers from AC/GC, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Colfax-Mingo, Interstate 35, Martensdale-St Mary’s, Ogden, and South Hamilton. Panorama won the sectional tournament with 217.5 points, qualifying seven grapplers for this upcoming weekend’s Class 1A District 1 tournament at Guthrie Center. Seniors Danny Nordquist (126), Gunnar Grunsted (170), and Dalton Holmes (195) all pinned their way to sectional championships in Ogden.
Nordquist recorded a pair of second period pinfall victories against Interstate 35’s Brody Nelson (4:36), and Colfax-Mingo’s Cyden Fitch (3:47) to clinch a spot in next weekend’s district tournament. Norquist tells Raccoon Valley Radio he’s enjoying what’s left of his high school wrestling career. “I’m going to run cross country and track in college; I’ll never wrestle again after these two weeks.” Nordquist said, “I’m really going to enjoy it and go out and work hard every single day.”
Grunsted registered two first period pinfall victories against Ogden’s Garrett Bales (1:50), and Martensdale St. Mary’s Steven Linn (1:48) to advance to the district tournament. He told Raccoon Valley Radio the ways he can improve ahead of next week. “I want to get into my ties more and finish my shots better,” Grunsted said, “You can always be improving.”
Holmes sectional tournament featured a second-period fall against Colfax-Mingo’s Nick Barnes (3:30), and a first-period pinfall win in the championship match against Ogden’s Blake Haub (1:45). Holmes tells Raccoon Valley Radio that last year’s trip to Wells Fargo Arena is fueling him to get back there this season. “I went two and out (at Wells last year) and I just had a chip on my shoulder all year.” Holmes said, “I’ve just been grinding, keeping it going in the room, trying to win a medal, trying to be on the podium.”
The other four Panther wrestlers advanced to next week’s district tournament by placing second in their respective weight classes. Those wrestlers include Wyatt Appleseth (132), Noah Kirtley (138), Emry Colby (145), and Trevor Carey (182). The Panther wrestling team qualified for tomorrow’s regional dual tournament and will compete in the Interstate 35 regional against No. 6 Interstate 35, Southeast Warren, and Wayne. First matches are set for 6 p.m. in Truro. Hear interviews with Panorama wrestling coach Jason Kirtley and all seven Panorama district qualifiers on tonight’s Karl Chevrolet of Stuart Guthrie County PM Sports Page starting at 6 p.m. True Country, K 107.9.