Nucleus of 10 upperclassmen will lead Peabody-Burns track

This group of 10 juniors and seniors form the core of the Peabody-Burns track and field team for first-year coach Isaac Burnett: (from left), Clayton Philpott, Mackenzie Young, Nicholas Preheim, Rylie McDowell, Cody Partridge, Katy Benson, Dakota Reynolds, Emily Timmer?meyer, Corbin Rives and Luka Babovic. Don Ratzlaff / Free Press

Sixteen boys and 13 girls comprise a young and inexperienced Peabody-Burns track and field team this season.

Led by first-year coach Isaac Burnett, the Warriors return 10 upperclassmen to lead this year?s team.

Senior Nick Preheim will anchor the boys? team and will compete in shot put and discus.

?Nick will be bringing knowledge and experience about the events, so he will be able to help the newcomers,? Burnett said. ?Nick is a leader on and off the track, so it will be great for us as a team to have him back again.?

Joining Preheim are juniors Cody Partridge and Clayton Philpott.

Partridge will be a force in the long jump, high jump and hurdles.

?(Cody) will be bringing experience and leadership for those less experienced in these events,? Burnett said. ?Cody?s enthusiasm about jumping is contagious, so the younger athletes will enjoy working with him.?

Philpott will contribute in the sprints.

?Last year Clayton was working through some injuries so he missed some track meets,? Burnett said. ?This year we are hoping to dodge those and see him compete in the sprints.?

Meanwhile, senior Mackenzie Young will anchor the girls? team as a distance and possibly middle-distance runner.

?Mackenzie is a person who constantly tries to remain positive,? Burnett said. ?That, combined with her leadership skills, will be a great asset to the team.?

Junior Kayla Washing?ton returns in shot put and discus.

?Last year, (Kayla) showed improvement throughout the season,? Burnett said. ?She works extremely hard and is a perfectionist in her events, so we are definitely excited to have her back again this year.?

Highlighting a list of newcomers are senior Rylie McDowell and junior Emily Timmermeyer.

McDowell joins the team for the first time and will compete in shot put and discus.

?(Rylie) is a fantastic leader at the school and we are extremely excited to have her as part of our team this year,? Burnett said.

Timmermeyer competed in Texas last year and qualified for state in the 800 meters.

?We are definitely excited to welcome her to our team this year,? Burnett said.

The Warrior coach hopes to see consistent improvement from his young team throughout the season in anticipation of the Wheat State League meet.

?As far as the league meet, I would enjoy seeing the athletes improve,? Burnett said. ?For some that may mean winning their event, and for others that may mean they set a new personal record. Either way, the improvement is success, and that is what I would like to see at league.?

The Warriors will open the season April 7 at Goessel.

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