Grip it and rip it: Remembering Liberty North boys track & field coach Ken Peek
LIBERTY, Mo. — On March 15, Liberty North held a track and field meet, and the one thing that stood out to a great number of coaches and athletes: it was the first meet held there without coach Ken Peek. He was the long-time coach of the Liberty North men’s team. He became a cancer warrior less than a year ago. He passed away after a courageous battle with glioblastoma on Feb. 9, 2024. In November 2022, we spoke with coach Peek, and we wanted to revisit that interview and his comments on life, sports, and legacy. None of us will ever forget him.
Peek grew up near the little town of Avenue City, at the crossroads of State Route D, and US 169 Highway, just Northeast of St. Joe. He attended school there from kindergarten up to the eighth grade. In high school, Peek was a Savannah Savage, playing football for four years. During his sophomore year, a coach encouraged Peek to try track and field, a sport he knew nothing about. It changed the course of his life.
“I got hooked on the discus pretty fast,” Peek said. Who also competed in the shot put in high school. For his excellent performance in the sport, he received a scholarship at Northwest Missouri State University. There he competed in the hammer throw, shot put, and his favorite event, the discus.
“The thing about track and field I’ve always loved is that you’re always competing with yourself,” Peek said. “You gotta want to compete, whether you’re an all-state level kid or you’re not, you can always work to get better and always challenge yourself.”
Peek studied education and went right into coaching and teaching after college, with stops in Plattsburg, Belton, North Kansas City, and the past six years with Liberty North. For five years, Peek has been the assistant or head coach of the ninth-grade football team, which has gone an astounding 40-2 over those years. Peek is the Head Coach of the varsity Boys track and field team at Liberty North. The team finished third in the Class 5 state championships last Spring.
Coach Peek has had a run of nationally ranked javelin throwers at Liberty North, including Braden Presser, who competes for the U.S. Naval Academy, Ava Curry, competed for the University of Missouri, Kayley Lenger, who had the #8 javelin throw in the nation in 2022, and Matt Morrison, #12 in the nation in the javelin – a Class 5 State champion in 2022.
“Having the top male and the top female thrower in the state of Missouri last year and having both of them be nationally ranked was amazing,” Peek said. “I couldn’t believe it was happening. These kids are just great kids and love the sport. And they worked so hard to get to that point.”
Coach Peek’s daughter Kaitlin, who graduated in 2022, was also an all-state thrower who now competes for Northwest Missouri State.
“One of my proudest moments coaching had to be helping my daughter get to state and being able to see her go on to Northwest and compete in the hammer and discus,” Peek said. “I am really proud of the work she’s done.”
Peek’s leadership efforts to help track and field extend beyond just Liberty North High School. He started a throwing league called the Big Beefers that is an all throwing events competition, one a day week, in the early summer – a great contribution to the community. It has helped foster and develop top throwers in the area. He is also leading the charge in getting an upgraded javelin runway for Liberty North, which would benefit athletes in the entire area as well.
“You know when the time comes that I do give up the coaching side of track, I’m probably gonna go either in the timing or to officiating, so I’m still around the sport,” Peek said. “I want to keep the love for the sport going.” Coach Ken Peek made a tremendous contribution to the North Nation, and to everyone in the area track and field community. His impact will continue for years to come.
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