On Saturday, October 1st, the Fairbanks Panthers Cross Country teams will head to the site of the District Meet, Pickerington North, for a late season invitational that will be sure to feature some high quality district talent. Coming off a performance at Triad, which Coach Mike Van Winkle described as “a struggle for points,” the Panthers will try to get their season back on track. “It’s homecoming week, so there’s a lot of excitement coming from the athletes. I’m expecting some good things and I hope to see our team scores near the top of the leader-board,” said Van Winkle. “I thought my ugly sweater that I wore to Triad would be a spark for our athletes, but ultimately, I think it may have been a distraction. I mean . . . it was really ugly. Sometimes it’s hard to get past something like that.” Fairbanks junior Nicholas Powell agreed by stating, “Yeah . . . I was all focused on the race, ready to push for a PR, but then I saw that sweater and it just kind of knocked me off kilter. I nearly had to vomit from the sight of it.”
The Panthers should be familiar with the course as they ran on it last year, and Van Winkle likes how it all lays out. “It’s a great course and there should be a large crowd at this meet. Our knowledge of the ins and the outs, the ups and the downs of it should work to our advantage.” First year runner, sophomore Nichole Nabbale says, “I’ve heard legends of this course so I’m excited to see what challenges it has to offer. It may be sick, but I really like a course with a lot of uphill runs, as it serves as a fitting metaphor for life in general.”
It will be another cool meet and early morning for the Panthers as the bus is scheduled to leave at 7:30 and temps are going to be in the high 40’s. “Triad was a good meet for one reason; we got to familiarize ourselves with colder autumn weather, hence, the ugly sweater,” said Van Winkle. The boys race is set to go off at 9:25, followed by the girls at 10:00. Come out and support your Panther athletes and enjoy the cool, fresh, morning air!
Pickerington North
Box Office - All Tickets Must be purchased online
Bus Time: 7:30am Depart from FHS Lobby
Race Times
Parking at Pickington North
High School 5k Course Map
