FZN Winter Sports Update

Wrestling

The Boys and Girls wrestling teams recently competed in the prestigious “Thrasher” Tournament hosted by Francis Howell High School. The girls had 5 individuals earn medals at the “Thrasher.” Returning state-qualifier Zoe Santa-Cruz finished 3rd in the 120 lbs. weight class. Cruz leads the Panthers with a 24 – 9 overall record this season. Other medalist included: Trinity Davis (4th at 125 lbs.), Ashley Head (3rd at 152 lbs.), Alana Vogt (4th at 166 lbs.) and Kenlin Fergin (5th at 235 lbs). Davis (23 -11) and Courtnee Hoff (21- 10), who was injured at the tournament, both have recorded over 20 wins this season. This weekend the girls will compete in the District wrestling tournament hosted by Holt High School. The district features 46 schools. Each wrestler placing in the top four of their respective weigh class will qualify for the state tournament.

The boys wrestling team had 4 wrestlers place in the top 5 at the “Thrasher” tournament. Freshmen Chance Cole, who sports an impressive 32 – 2 record, became the first Panther to earn an individual title at the “Thrasher” by winning the 160 lbs. weight class. Prior to his victory at the “Thrasher”, Cole defeated the state’s #1 ranked wrestler in Class 3 from Hannibal in a dual meet earlier in the week. Senior Logan Prinster and Junior Stohrm Jones both finished 5th at the “Thrasher”. Prinster and Jones sport identical 36 – 7 records. Senior Derrick Buda-Smith was injured in his semi-final match and was forced to default to 6th place. He is expected to make a full recovery. Buda-Smith is 36 -3 so far this season. The Panthers, who sport a 10 – 3 dual meet record, wrap up their regular portion of the season today (2/4) with a double-dual against Washington and Francis Howell North. The team will have a week off to prepare for their District tournament hosted by Francis Howell the weekend of February 14 – 15. Just like the girls the top four individuals at each weight advance to the state tournament.

Girls Swimming

The lady “Swimcats” head into the stretch run of their regular season schedule on a tear. The team has won their last 5 dual meets to improve to 9 - 2 on the season! The Panthers have been led by Sydney Kelsey, the school record holder in the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM, and Gwen Raziq, the school record holder in the 200 free. Averi Meade, a specialist in the 100 back and 50 free, has also stood out for the Panthers. Meade, Raziq, Kelsey and Jillian Walls make up the three relays teams for the Panthers. All three relays are expected to qualify for the state meet. The Panthers also have the top two divers in the conference with Maddi Watters and Nadia Wuest. Both have traded top finishes throughout the season and have achieved state qualifying status. The “Swimcats” wrap up their regular season tomorrow in the final dual meet of the season as they swim against long-time rival Fort Zumwalt South. Next week the Panthers will compete at the conference championships.

Girls Basketball

The girls’ basketball team currently stands at 13 – 4 on the season. The girls remain undefeated in conference play with a 4 – 0 conference mark. The team has been led by the senior quartet of Jayden Stahl, Jordan Grimes, Jessica Clausner and Claudia Hoff. Grimes leads the Panthers in scoring (13.6 ppg.) while Stahl (12.6 ppg.) and Clausner (7 ppg.) have also been key contributors to the Panther scoring totals. Clausner and Hoff have been the Panthers leading deep ball threats as they are 1 & 2 in 3-point baskets for the team. Junior Jerrica Moody has started all season for the team and is one of the Panthers most versatile players. Junior Kayley Judy, Senior Grace Bauer and Kylie Orf have all seen significant minutes for the Panthers. The Panthers have two critical conference games scheduled this week: @ FZ East (2/4) and @ FZ South (2/5). Earlier this season the Panthers nipped South by a single point. The game with East will be the first of a scheduled two this season.

Boys Basketball

The boys team recently hosted their own 8 team invitational where the Panthers finished 3rd after defeating Holt 71 – 40. The Panthers had lost to Holt earlier in the season. The Panthers only loss in the tournament was a 68 – 56 set-back to the eventual tournament champion Rock Bridge High School. Rock Bridge was last season’s state champion in Missouri’s large school classification. Prior to the loss to Rock Bridge, the Panthers had won their three previous contests. The team now stands at 12 – 7 on the season. The team’s leading scorer this season is the dynamic Junior KJ Lee who averages 16.3 ppg. for the Panthers. Lee scored a season high 30 points in the team’s opening round FZN Invitational victory over Priory. Panther big man Senior Mujtaba “Moosh” Alkhadi has been a consistent presence for the team near the basket all season. Alkahadi leads the team in rebounds averaging 7.1 boards per game, while chipping in 10.8 ppg. Senior Grant Rapplean continues to be strong on the point for the Panthers leading the team in assists. The emergence of Junior Drake Stevenson has added another dimension to the Panthers attack this season. Stevenson notched a season-high 27 points in the team’s conference victory over Timberland. Grant Fitzpatrick, Cole Riggelman, Nathan Shedd, George Prouhet, Tyler and Evan Edwards have all seen significant minutes this season. Sophomore Conner Turbull, now firmly entrenched as a varsity team member, has proven to be a fan favorite with his ability to play above the rim. This week the Panthers travel to FZ East today (2/4) at 7:00 pm before hosting Washington on Friday (2/7).