Fall Sports Preview
Girls Tennis
The Panthers opened their season with a loss to a strong Holt program. The Lady Panthers tennis team is coming off their first ever conference title. Last season the team was led by a strong senior class which has left the Panthers in the position of replacing their top five players. This fall the team will be led by Kenzie Lee (12), Tayler Miller (11), Chelsea Gill (12), and Linday Horman, who have all shown great leadership and work ethic. Head Coach Charles Glotta is excited about the possibilities with this, "extremely coachable and hard working group". Due to the team's youth and inexperience, Coach Glotta believes the team could struggle at the start of the season, but states, "I'm excited about the future and fell luck to have the girls we have in the program". Coach Glotta also mentioned Haley Bauer (12), Marlee Schlitling (10), and Brooke Teson (11) as other who may push for varsity spots.
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The Panthers return to action today (8/24) as they host St. Charles High.
Girls Volleyball
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The Panther volleyball team opened the season with a convincing two set victory over St. Charles. The team consists of nine returning players and six seniors. The Panthers will be led by Jamie Hauser, Mercedes Vomund, Gabi Rohling, Tiana Jackson, Miranda Hoekelmann, Anna Durnin, Maddie Herron, Amber Herron, Mya Young, Morgan Foulks, and Kelly Hilliard. Hauser is a returning "All-Conference" selection and Jackson, a recent transfer, is a Florida State signee. The team has set some lofty goals as the enter the 2016 season. The team hope to compete for both the conference and district titles.
The Panthers will travel to St. Charles West today (8/24) before hosting Holt this Thursday (8/25).
Girls Cross Country
The Panthers return all seven varsity runners from a season ago including state qualifiers, Jocelyn Quiles (12) and Morgan Avery (11). Last season the team qualified all seven varsity members to the sectional meet and consistently finished among the top teams at each race. The team looks to build upon last season's success and is aiming at qualifying as a team for the state competition.
Boys Cross Country
The returning GAC Central Champions hope to have a repeat performance in 2016. The team is led by state qualifier Chris Allensworth, who has qualified for state in each of the last two seasons. The team looks to build on last season's conference title by striving to qualify as a team for the sectional and state meets.
Both the Boys and Girls quads open their season this Friday at the St. Charles "First Capitol" Invitational held at McNair Park.
Boys Swimming
The Swim Cats have continued to grow in both numbers and competitiveness over the course of the last several seasons. Leadership in and out of the pool from team captains Matt Romano (12) and Wyatt Pedigo (12) has led many on the team to put in long hours this summer preparing for the season. Romano is the top returner for the Panthers. He finished 8th in the 50 freestyle and 5th in the 100 freestyle at last year's conference meet.
The Panthers begin action this Thursday (8/25) as they host Francis Howell Central at the St. Peters Rec-Plex. The Swim Cats will then host conference rival Fort Zumwalt East on Friday (8/26).
Boys Soccer
The Panther soccer program is coming off is best stretch in school history! The team set a new school mark for victories a season ago as they won in impressive 18 games. Along the way, the Panthers notched just their second conference title. The team is led by returning "All-Conference" selection Matt Bennick, who doubles as the kicker for the varsity football team. The Panthers stated their season with victories over Ritenour and Missouri Military Academy in the FZ Tournament. The Panthers will play for the championship today (8/24) at home against defending state champion Francis Howell. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm.
Football
The Panthers opened their season with a home loss (21 - 24) to Ladue. The Panthers nearly pulled off the comeback before coming up just a bit short in their final drive against the Rams. The Panther football program has been a model of consistency over the course of the last five seasons, as they have captured three conference titles and two district titles during that time period. The 2016 team is led by two-way standout Cade Brister, who achieved "All-State" status last fall. Brister serves as the team' s quarterback and starting safety. Others to watch this fall include: Alex Jetton (OL/DL), Deiondre Stockton (DB/RB), Zach Stanner (WR), Kader NdJiaye (DL/OL), Zach Steele (OL/DL), and Jake Cecil (DB/RB). The team experience at key positions should be a strength. Coach Joe Bacon, who enters his 9th year as head coach and 20th as a member of the football staff, stated, "The team is looking forward to the challenge of trying to raise the bar for our program another notch. We will continue to play quality teams, both conference and nonconference, and will be tested early and often this season".
The Panthers travel across Hwy. 70 this Friday (8/26) for their now annual match-up with crosstown rival Fort Zumwalt West. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
Softball
The Panther softball team faces the difficult challenge of replacing a number of key players from 2015. The team will be led by "All-State" outfielder Sarah Langdon, who is a four year starter for the program. The Panthers opened play last weekend at the Troy Invitational where the team finished 1 - 3. The team returns to action this Thursday (8/25) as they host conference opponent Wentzville: Liberty.