The #9 moment for Knoxville High School was the Panther Boys Track and Field Squad on May 5th winning the South Central Conference title, sneaking past Albia 144-140. What made it even more special, it was Knoxville’s turn to host the meet at the newly refurbished Randy Wilson Track. The Panthers scored just four 1st place medals with T.J. DeJong getting three in the 100, 200, and 400 meter events while Seth Walraven won the 3200. There were also several 2nd and 3rd place showings that allowed Knoxville to stockpile points throughout the meet including Walraven placing 3rd in the discus with a throw of 116 feet seven inches, an event he had rarely competed in. Both Walraven and DeJong told KNIA/KRLS Sports it was about time for Knoxville to break through.

Walraven: “It’s super awesome, last year it was so close, it’s just a great feeling.”
DeJong: “I came into this night just wanting to be at the top, and we wanted this so bad. We worked hard at practice and battled through adversity and we deserve this title.”

The Panthers would go on to qualify events for the State Meet more on that later in our countdown.