Staff writer
Nine letter-winners return to compete this season on the Peabody-Burns High School track squad.
Brian Lightner is the new head coach this season, moving up from the assistant position he held last year.
The team is led by nine-time state gold medalist Lauren Pickens. She has won the 100, 200, and 400-meter runs in the state 2A competition for three seasons and returns in her senior year to defend her titles.
Paige Lewis will join Pickens on the girls squad. Lewis competes in the hurdles events for the PBHS team.
Three senior boys are returning letter-winners. Spencer Moffett will compete in the shot put and javelin. Andrew Sheffler is a senior sprinter and Sheldon Wiebe will compete in distance events.
A crop of sophomore letter-winners also returns to the track this spring. Alan McLaughlin will compete in the long jump and competes in sprints. Zach Preheim and Seth Topham will run hurdles for the Warriors and Topham will compete in the high jump event. Lucas Larsen will be in the throwing events, concentrating on shot put and javelin.
Kim Topham and Layne Burnett will assist Lightner this season. The schedule will be much the same as last year but PBHS will compete May 12 at the Wheat State league meet in Goessel this year.