This year, the Jackson County Panthers wrestling team will be shooting for three in a row.
Three top ten state finishes, that is.
In 2007, the Mat Panthers placed eighth in AAAA competition.
Last year, they moved up to third, bringing home the 2008 AAAA State Champion title in the 125 lb. category.
This year, however, the team is a little younger. But, coach Jason Powers said, with a lot of talent returning to the Panther roster this year, he expects the team to improve a lot throughout the year as the younger team members gain some valuable varsity experience.
“We have a lot of goals we would like to accomplish this year including being able to make it to state duals by finishing in the top two in area duals,” he said. “I think this is a very reasonable goal but it’s going to take a lot of hard work to get there.”
The Panthers will start their season out with a very tough duals tournament this weekend, as they’ll travel to Allatoona for the Blackbeard Duals. Powers said the tournament will put the team’s younger wrestlers to the test.
From there, the Panthers will host Morgan County on Nov. 25, leading up to the Panther Invitational, which will be held beginning Dec. 5 at JCCHS.
Despite a daunting start to the season, Powers said he looks for a couple of individuals to perform well throughout the season.
“Hopefully they can find their way onto the podium at the state tournament this year,” he said. “We are returning two state placers and I expect them to place better this year than last.”
If the last two years are any indication, the Panthers should be in the thick of things again this season.
