By PAIGE CARR

Staff writer

One new coach this fall will be no stranger to Peabody-Burns athletics while the second is a fresh face with big dreams for a successful program.

Rachel Winter, a middle school special education instructor, is stepping in as head volleyball coach for the high school.

During a previous stint at Peabody-Burns schools, Winter coached middle school volleyball in 2004 and 2005 and was head coach for middle school girls basketball girls from 2008 to 2010.

She then spent four years in Woodward, Oklahoma, before moving back to Peabody. She has been patiently waiting for the last few years for a position to open up at Peabody-Burns.

Her husband, Bob, is a Peabody native and bridge inspector for BNSF Railway’s structure department. The couple has two children enrolled in the district, Eli, 8, and Hannah, 5.

“It feels good to be home,” she said.

Although this will be her first year coaching at the high school level for Peabody-Burns, Winter didn’t have to introduce herself to most of her players.

She has coached swimming during the summer months for about a decade total.

“I’ve known some of these girls since they were babies,” she said. “This is home, and this is a good group of girls.”

Winter has many plans for the volleyball team this coming season.

“We’re doing a lot this summer to improve and get better,” she said. “We want to have a good fall season that will carry over toward the other seasons throughout the year, too.”

Kody Tegtmeier, recently hired as physical education teacher for kindergarten through grade 12, will become head football coach.

He too, is excited about the upcoming season and got a chance to meet several students last week during a summer weightlifting program.

“We’ve had a great turnout so far, and the kids work hard,” he said.

Tegtmeier is a 2004 Hanover High and 2009 Kansas Wesleyan University graduate.

“Looking at the schedule, we have a pretty tough schedule this year,” he said. “Hopefully we can put in a lot of work and dedication to surprise people both in the league and district.”

Peabody has left a good impression on Tegtmeier.

“It’s a nice town,” he said. “It’s a small community and everybody has been very welcoming.”