December 16, 2024
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SVM Athlete of the Week: Fulton’s Zane Pannell

By Ty Reynolds
Fulton’s Zane Pannell and Unity’s Kyus Root wrap up in the Class 1A 170 pound 3rd place match Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in the IHSA individual state wrestling finals in the State Farm Center at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

Fulton’s Zane Pannell (right) and Tolono Unity’s Kyus Root wrap up in the Class 1A 170-pound third-place match last Saturday in the IHSA Individual State Finals at State Farm Center in Champaign. Pannell won the match, and has been voted by readers as the Sauk Valley Media Athlete of the Week. (Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.com/Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.co)

Fulton senior Zane Pannell just won a medal at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Tournament for the second straight season, adding a third-place medal at 170 pounds to the fifth-place medal he won at that weight last year. He also won his first sectional title on Feb. 11, winning by pin in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Class 1A Oregon Sectional, then defeating Riverdale’s Alex Watson 10-5 in the championship bout.

Pannell has been voted by readers as the Sauk Valley Media Athlete of the Week, and he answered a few questions to help us get to know him a little bit.

What was the key to your success this season?

Pannell: Confidence was the key to my success.

How special was it to finish your career at the state tournament?

Pannell: I enjoyed attending the state tournament the past two years and finishing as a top contender!

What does it mean to you to be a two-time state medalist?

Pannell: Being a 2 time medalist great, but there is still a lot to learn to better myself.

What’s your favorite thing about wrestling?

Pannell: The idea that there is a sport that two people can put their bodies on the line to subdue his or her opponent.

What’s your favorite memory of Fulton wrestling?

Pannell: My favorite memory was state my junior year placing 5th

What’s your favorite TV show?

Pannell: Breaking bad or Rick and Morty.

What is your perfect meal?

Pannell: Chicken rice and eggs is my favorite meal.

What superpower would you like to have, and why?

Pannell: Flying, because you can go anywhere and be free.

What songs do you listen to to fire you up before a match?

Pannell: I don’t listen to music before my matches.

What songs are your go-to to relax?

Pannell: Mockingbird by Eminem or Heartless by Kanye West.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?

Pannell: Hawaii, because it’s always been my dream

What is your favorite class, and why?

Pannell: Media Publications, because I can film sporting events and be in the action.

Who is your favorite professional team and athlete?

Pannell: Pittsburgh Steelers, and Troy Polamalu is my favorite player.

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Ty Reynolds

Ty Reynolds

Ty has covered sports in the Sauk Valley for more than two decades.