Panthers leaning on winning tradition to guide them in the fall

West Salem hasn't had a losing season since 2019 and they don't plan on breaking that streak this year.

The Panther seniors that were a part of the 2022 team that went to the state title game are now the group that will be looked to in leading the younger players.

Ryan Olson takes over the head coaching duties after being an assistant for four years with the program and he's excited to take the reigns for a program that's built a winning culture.

"You know I think tradition and success breeds success." said Olson. "We've had very successful athletics all around here at West Salem and that is competition and no team wants to be the team that isn't successful and it just pushes them."

One of the key returners Luke Baginski will be back under center following a season where he passed for 1,045 yards and ran for 758 yards.

"Well we're just trying to improve upon last year obviously you want to start every game going 1-0. That's our motto this year just go 1-0 every week. Coach Olson has really instilled that this year and that's just our goal every week." said Baginski.

West Salem will look to get off to a better start than they did in 2023 when they began 1-2. The Panthers open up their season against Onalaska on August 23rd.

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