By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
After successful regular season, the Panorama girls soccer team (14-3) had its season end in the Class 1A Region 5 finals against Nevada (14-5) on Thursday, May 23. All three goals in the contest were scored in the second half. Individual stats were not available as of press time.
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
It’s another dominant result for the Panorama girls soccer team (14-2). It defeated Knoxville (9-5), 9-0, in the Class 1A region 5 semi-finals on Wednesday, May 22. While Panorama did have the benefit of playing its first two regional playoff games at home, it had to travel to Nevada high school for the final on Thursday, May 23.
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
On May 23, Panorama officials announced the hiring of two new head coaches. Panorama alumnus Josh Beardsley will head up the boys basketball team, leaving his post as an assistant on Truman State’s basketball program.
“We are excited to see Josh’s impact on our boys basketball program and school district. Welcome home, Josh,” Panorama officials said in the announcement.
The boys basketball program has seen plenty of success in recent years. The team finished 13-9 last season and has posted winning records in four of the past five years.
Charlie Lake was named the new head coach of Panorama’s football team. Last year Lake served as an elementary school physical education teacher.
“His dedication to developing relationships and fostering growth aligns perfectly with our district’s core values. Charlie’s experience and commitment to our community make him an excellent fit for this role,” Panorama said in the announcement.
Panorama’s football team went 4-4 last season, with its last winning season coming in 2020-21.
A tight race in the girls shuttle relay.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On May 22, an annual tradition was observed as students from Guthrie Center Elementary participated in Track Day. Perfect weather greeted the competitors, who gave their all in front of many parents and grandparents in the bleachers.
Track Day spectators brought cases of water for Greenfield tornado relief.
“We’ve been doing Track Day for, gosh, I don’t know how many years. As long as I’ve been a teacher here,” Flanery said. “It’s something the kids really look forward to…just a lot of fun, and it’s always great to see all the parents show up.”
She then reflected on her career in education.
“I’ve been at Guthrie Center Elementary for 27 years. They’ve been great years,” Flanery said. “I really appreciate the kids, staff, parents and community. It’s a great place to have kids. I’ve really enjoyed my career, and I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.”
The boys give it their all.
Principal Diane Flanery’s final Track Day at Guthrie Center Elementary.
Scott Gonzales has been a constant at local track and cross country meets.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Some people have a reputation of “always starting things,” and that description can rightly be attributed to Scott Gonzales. For more than 50 years, Gonzales has been a fixture at local track and cross country meets, often as the official whose starting pistol gives competitors the signal to begin their race.
To mark this milestone, Gonzales was recently honored with a 50-year award from the Iowa Association of Track Coaches and Officials (IATC/IATO). Besides Gonzales, the other 50-year honorees included Timm Lamb (Fort Madison), Paul Lorber (New London), Dale Sandquist (Urbandale), Joe Toot (Nevada), Robert Witzenburg (Fairfield) and Ron Werling (Indianola).
Generations of runners have waited for Scott Gonzales’ starting gun.
Gonzales was a longtime resident of Guthrie Center and now lives at Lake Panorama. He reflected back on how his tenure as a track official began.
“I got started when I took a Fundamentals of Track class at Central College, and part of the curriculum was to take an officials’ test,” Gonzales said. “After I did that, I decided to send that to the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and paid the fee, so I became an official in 1971.”
Gonzales said it’s been rewarding to watch young athletes grow in confidence and athletic performance over their junior high and high school years. He also admitted he’s seen a variety of unusual, and sometimes comic, happenings around the track.
“One time, I was starting a track meet and I got everybody into their blocks for the race, and I looked up, and there’s a kid who’s in the blocks facing the wrong way,” Gonzales said. “He would have had quite a surprise.”
Over the decades, Gonzales has seen many examples of second-generation athletes in the meets he officiates, meaning the kids running have parents who formerly ran in races started by Gonzales. Now, the third generation is upon him.
Scott Gonzales shows his 50-year award.
Gonzales pointed out that spectators might not realize the amount of physical activity involved in serving as a track official. He explained that in an average track meet, he’ll walk roughly three miles.
“Typically, starters are on their feet for five hours straight,” Gonzales said. “I schedule 14 to 15 meets each spring. I’ve done as many as 16. I’ve done four in one week, but I don’t think I’d do that again. I also start several cross country meets in the fall. I’ve driven as far as 95 miles to start a track meet, but almost all have been in west central Iowa.”
Despite the physical and time demands of officiating, Gonzales says he has no plans to stop anytime soon.
“My health is still good, and I enjoy it,” he said. “As long as I’m physically able, I’ll continue for a few more years, at least.”