FZN Fall Sports Preview

Football

Last season was the most successful in school history for the Panthers on the gridiron. The Panthers have complied an impressive 41 - 8 mark, along with 3 district, 3 conference, and one state final appearance, over the course of the last four seasons. This season a new group of Panthers hope to continue that recent success. The 2017 version of the team is looking forward to the challenge of trying to raise the bar for the program through their hard work and determination.

Team Strengths:

Experience on both sides of the ball, Strong leadership

Goals:

Improve on last season accomplishments (12 - 2 Class 5 State Runner-Up)

Compete for the GAC Central and District Titles

Play great football each week

First Game:

8/18 vs. Ladue @ Robert Fisher Stadium - 7:00 pm

Boys Soccer

The FZN boys soccer squad hits the pitch with a number of new faces this season. The team hopes to work hard in every game, grow as a team with each practice and game, and be competitive in the GAC Central conference.

Returning Starters:

Thomas DeAvella (10), Owen Sears (10), Cole Sutton (11)

Top Newcomers:

Sam Travis (9), Noah Mueller (11), Elijah Quiles (10), and Grant Rappelan (10)

First Game:

8/19 vs. St. Charles @ Robert Fisher Stadium - 9:00 am

Girls Volleyball

The Panthers return five starters (Mya Young, Morgan Foulks, Amber Herron, Mandie Herron, and Kellie Hilliard) from 2016, a season that saw the Panthers set a new school record for wins (25) and claim just their second conference title in school history. The program has seen an increase in player interest with over 30 freshmen trying out this summer. The Panthers can be described as a "scrappy" squad that hopes to build on last season's momentum.

First Game:

8/22 vs. St. Charles - Home - 5:00 pm

Girls Golf

The Panther have a large squad of players (16) hitting the links this fall. Four Panther return from last year's varsity squad including two (Jessica Koscelny, Kiersten Oderman) who earned "All-Conference" status last fall. Other top returners include: Charlee Hoffmann and Emily Brown. The team has shown up with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn that second year coach Caitlin Hasse hopes will translate into a successful season

First Match:

8/18 vs. FZ South @ The Falls - 3:30 pm

Boys Swimming

The Swim-Cats finished the 2016 campaign with "winning" season for the first time in nearly a decade. The team also qualified an individual (Matt Romano) to the state meet for the first time since the 2011 season. Despite the graduation of Romano, the Panthers return the core of their varsity line-up as they hope to make a splash in the conference standings this season.

Top Returners:

Caleb Brown (11), Gabe Carlson (12), Tyler Finney (12), Teddy Hickey (11), Chance Orf (11), Gus Wischmann (11)

Top Newcomer:

Ben Brown (9)

First Meet:

8/23 vs. FZ East @ Rec-Plex 3:30 pm

Cross Country

The FZN Harriers continue to strive to become the best team that that can be. The Panthers put on a number of miles during the summer months and will hit the season running. Last season the boys team repeated as GAC Central champions and qualified as team for the sectional meet. The top two boys from last season graduated, but the with five returning from their group of top seven runners, the Panthers will once again strive for a top conference finish. Two-time state qualifier Morgan Avery will lead the way for the girls squad. The girls look to make more of an impact as a team this season as they too hope to fight for a top spot in the conference race.

Top Returners:

Morgan Avery, Sydney Green, Sydnie Hobday, Lexi Head, Michaela Russ

Jerald Caldwell, Sean Deeken, Cole Sutton, Ryan Pedergast, Seth Gleason, Jonah Page

First Meet:

8/25 @ Fist Capital Invitational (McNair Park - St. Charles) 3:00 pm

Softball

The 2017 Panther softball team will have a number of new faces in their line-up. The team is focusing on building a strong defense around an all new pitching staff. There has been a spirited competition for starting positions at this point in the season. The Panthers graduated 4-year starter and 4X "All-Conference" selection Sarah Langdon, but return a strong nucleus of players including "All-Conference" performer Mikala Guthrie along with Julia Vedvig, Jacquelyn Jonhson, Maggie Bohannan, Chloe Hoff, and Sydney Sontheimer. All saw extensive playing time last season.

Top Newcomers:

Amanda Schmidt, Lindsay Hardy, Courtney Reiter, Lauren Jenkins, Caiya Barnert, Sarah Becker, Jessie Tomson, Sammie Prouhet, Kelly Allensworth, Ally Schupp, Ashley Niemczyk

First Game:

8/18 vs. Hillsboro @ Troy "Lead Off" Classic 4:00 pm (City Park - Troy, MO)