The Knoxville Wrestling Squad will hit the mats tonight as close to full strength as it has been since early December as Knoxville hosts a South Central Conference Quad against Albia, Chariton, and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. It has been a roller coaster season for the Panthers, as they started with two losses to Pella and Nevada, then had to shut down the program for two weeks due to COVID-19 concerns. One other concern for Coach Doug Hatch is the young Panthers and their lack of experience on the mats, but he has been very pleased with their progress and hopes to showcase that talent tonight.

Hatch:
“Overall I think the kids stepped in and put forth a good effort, and saw some things they can work on at practice. I think they got a little amped up, which is going to happen, but we’ll learn from that and move on.”

Tonight’s first matches at Knoxville High School begin at 5:30 with the Panthers battling the Rockets while Chariton will take on Albia. In the second round, Albia will take on EBF with Knoxville wrestling Chariton and the third round has the Panthers challenging Albia while Chartiton battles Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. There will be a parent/senior recognition after the first round.