Staff writer
Peabody-Burns High School second-year head track coach Brian Lightner is looking forward to the 2012 season. His numbers are up from last year and it will be easier to fill events and compete every day. The big unknown for his squad is who will step up to elevate the team with points scored at meets.
“Our team is heavy with juniors and freshmen. We have one senior and one sophomore,” Lightner said. “Many of the dominant track athletes graduated last year, so we are looking to have skill development of younger students and leadership from upperclassmen. I am excited to work with these kids and look forward to the season. As a team, they want to get better and improve each meet and we want that also.”
Returning letter winners for the girls include junior Paige Lewis in the hurdle events and sophomore Beckah McCullough running the 100- and 200-meter dashes.
Juniors Lucas Larsen, Seth Topham, Zach Preheim and Allen McLaughlin all return to the squad as letter winners from the 2011 season. Larsen with compete in the discus, shot and Javelin. Topham will high jump and run hurdles. Preheim will also take on the hurdles and McLaughlin will long jump and run the 100- and 400-meter dashes.
Justin Rempel is the only senior competing on the 2012 team.
Lightner points to top competition from Little River, Centre, and Goessel for the girls and Solomon, Hope, and White City for the boys. He will be assisted this season by Kim Topham.
The team will open the season April 3 at Inman.