FZN kicks off the winter sports season!

The winter sports season has arrived! The FZN boys and girls basketball teams are both off to hot starts. The boys’ team opened their season with two wins over rival Zumwalt schools. The Panthers opened the season with a 62 - 26 conference victory over Fort Zumwalt East, then followed it up with a 49 - 29 take down of Fort Zumwalt West. The boys have been led by the stellar play of Austin Schwerdt (14.5 ppg), Marco Powells (15.5 ppg), and Blake “The Bus” Wilson (8.5 ppg). The boys return to action tonight (12/8) as they host McCluer at 6:30 pm.

The girls’ team has also played well at the start of the 15 - 16 campaign. The team currently stands at 4 - 1 on the young season. After opening with a 36 - 12 victory over Fort Zumwalt East, the team participated in the Orchard Farm tournament where they won two out of three games to capture the consolation championship. At Orchard Farm, the Panthers dropped their opener to Francis Howell North (39 - 36), before rallying to win their final two games over Granite City, IL (32 - 29), and Brentwood (48 - 17). The team also notched a regular season win over Wentzville: Liberty (55 - 31). The Panthers have been led by Rachel Pudlowski (10.4 ppg) and Tori Nesslage (8.6 ppg). Tonight (12/8) the girls travel to Hillsboro for a non-conference game scheduled to start at 6:30 pm.

On the mats, the FZN grapplers stand at 1 - 1on the dual season after splitting a pair of matches last week. The wrestlers defeated Parkway North (66 - 9), before falling to Rockwood Summit (48 - 30). Last weekend, the Panthers hosted their own 12-team tournament where Shaun Beeman captured the lone individual championship for the Panthers. Other Panthers who earned medals by finishing in the top three included: Garrett Vancil (3rd - 132 lbs.), Chauncy Adams (3rd - 138 lbs.), and Jack Ederer (2nd - 145 lbs.). As a team the Panthers finished a close second, in their pool, behind highly regarded Hannibal. The wrestlers return to action this Friday (12/11) as they travel across Hwy. 70 to face Fort Zumwalt South at 6:00 pm.

This Thursday (12/10) the girls swimming and diving team open their season at home (Rec-Plex) against Timberland.