Preheim to lead PBHS runners

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 30 August 2011 17:11

Zach Preheim Jr. is the only runner returning this season for the Peabody-Burns cross-country team.

The Peabody-Burns cross-country team is small, but it hopes to be mighty competing as individuals this season.

“Our goals are going to be personal goals because we don’t have enough for a boys’ team or a girls’ team,” said Kim Topham, who returns for her sixth year as coach.

Topham has one runner returning, Zach Preheim Jr.

“(Preheim is) going to look to improve his times; he’s run all these courses before,” she said.“The girls are new to the course. They’re new to the 4K, since they’re freshmen. For one, this is actually her first year to run cross country.

“They’re just going to look to see what they can do, and go from there.”

Topham said the Warriors will set goals and work on them throughout the season. Meeting those goals requires hard work, and Topham said her runners are putting in the hours.

“We’ve been working on distance now, but I think we’re going to start working on speed a little more than distance,” she said. “I am kind of getting away from the long, long runs and going to shorter durations of quicker speed, to cover that distance in a shorter amount of time.

“I’m changing some philosophies right now and trying some new things.”

The Warriors will not face league competition, since the Wheat State League does not have enough schools with cross country.

But Topham said she would like to see her athletes compete at a high level.

“I would like to see them go to regionals and just do well,” she said. “They’ll have to be in the top 10 individually (to qualify for state), and I know some of them are thinking that’ll be kind of tough.

“I’m excited for the season to get started,” she added. “It’s always fun to see who you have and what they’re going to do.”

The Warriors’ first meet was scheduled for Sept. 1 at Clearwater.