Ken Janvrin

Ken Janvrin was born on February 29, 1940 to Howard and Geraldine Janvrin. He was raised in Hawarden, Iowa and graduating from Hawarden High School in 1958. After graduation Ken played football at Iowa State University and the University of South Dakota. He was an outstanding student and athlete in high school. Some of his accomplishments in the classroom were Class Valedictorian, National Honor Society member, Class Officer and Mathematics Award recipient. On the athletic field he earned letters in Football, Basketball and Track & Field. As a senior he carried the ball 103 times for 1241 yards for an average of 12.1 yards per carry. He ran on the 1958 State Champion 440 yd. Relay team. He also qualified in the 4 X 880 yd. Relay and the Shot Put. Ken continued his success in college where he earned 4 letters in football. He held the rushing record at the University of South Dakota. He ran for 202 yards on 9 carries against North Dakota State University. He began his teaching and coaching career at Panorama High School in 1963. He taught and coached at Panorama for 34 years retiring in 1997. He served as the Athletic Director for 25 years. During his time at Panorama, Ken oversaw the construction of the high school track facility, developed the cross country course, helped with the Panorama Days Fun Run, and served as the Drake Relays High School Referee in 1996. Ken received the 25 year awards for service from the Iowa Athletic Directors Association and the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Kens’ coaching accomplishments are many but here are some of the highlights. In Boys Cross Country he had 11 state qualifying teams and two One-Mile Team Race Teams. He coached Phillip Keys who placed 7th in the 1996 State Meet. In track & field he had 9 teams finish in the top 10 climaxed by winning the 1997 State Title. His teams finished 2nd and 3rd twice each. Ken’s teams 11 district titles and 15 conference titles. He has coached 17 individual and relay state champions. He has also coached three State Pentathlon Championship teams. His most famous athlete he has coached is his son IATC Hall of Fame member Kip Janvrin. Ken has received many honors over his career. Here are a few of those honors. Ken was selected the Regional Coach of the Year five times in Track & Field and once in Cross Country. He was the Class 1-A Boys State Coach of the year in 1997. Ken is a member of the Panorama High School Hall of Fame. He was the Western Iowa Coach of the Year in 1997 as selected by the Omaha World Herald. Ken and his wife Karen are the parents of Kristi and Kip. He enjoys gardening, playing bridge, hunting, fishing and attending athletic events.