Staff writer
Peabody-Burns track may be down from having roughly 20 members to only eight, but head coach Kim Topham said that she is not worried about numbers.
“Track’s such an individual sport,” Topham said. “You can set your own goals, and with the numbers we have, we’ll have individual goals more this year than team goals.”
Topham, who retired from teaching last year, told the school she would come back to coach the team when another coach bailed out.
“I told them I’d do it for one year,” Topham said.
Five boys and three girls will compete in sprints, high jump, long jump, middle distance, shot-put, and possibly discus.
Senior Cody Partridge, qualified for state last year in long jump. Senior Cheyene Shaw will participate in 200 yard sprints.
Junior Andrew Wedel, who wasn’t able to compete last year, is back throwing the shot after having shoulder surgery.
Topham said her favorite part of coaching again is working with the kids.
“It’s fun to see them compete,” Topham said. “I enjoy seeing their improvements.”
Assistant coach Chris Young agreed that competition is a highlight for track.
“I just want to see these kids compete,” Young said. “Competition is healthy.”
Topham said the team’s favorite place to compete at is Herington.
“It’s pretty sheltered,” Topham said. “It’s a new track and so it’s got a nice surface on it. My jumpers have always competed well there.”
The team’s first meet will be Inman’s Hex meet on April 5 in Sterling, and will then go to the Marion Invitational April 8 in Marion.
While competition is a big part of track, Topham said she hopes the kids also enjoy it.
“I hope they have fun with it and they have success in their events,” Topham said. “I’d like to see them do well in regionals and do well in state.”