May was a whirlwind month for Liberty North throws coach and head boys track and field coach Ken Peek.
What was supposed to be the start of a busy stretch of the season turned into a long month for the outgoing coach.
Peek already had plans to step down from the coaching gig earlier in the school year so he could spend more time watching his daughter compete in track and field and son play baseball at North but the events that transpired early last month led to a big change in his life.
Prior to hosting the Suburban Conference Gold Division meet earlier last month, Peek noticed his leg was numb and he couldn't feel his leg as he pressed the pedal on the gator to get around the track facility.
He initially thought maybe he pinched a nerve. Tests were done including MRIs on his back and head. The issues with his back could be cleared up. The neurologist was the second doctor to see him before he was released from the hospital.
They found a quarter-size tumor in Peek's head that was cancerous. It was glioblastoma multiform, a fast-growing and aggressive tumor, which they learned on June 13.
"You get past the shock phase and just there is total disbelief and there was a couple of days I felt like I was riding a tornado," Peek said. "There was so much information and everybody was concerned and reaching out."
There were plenty of sleepless nights that led up to the surgery, which happened on Tuesday, only days before the Class 3-5 state track and field championships. The Eagles finished second overall in the team MSHSAA Class 5 championships, earning a trophy for a second straight year.
Support has poured out for Peek, including a GoFundMe set up by former William Chrisman coach Tyler Rathke. A fundraiser with t-shirts with Peek's phrase 'Grip It and Rip It' and bracelets are for sale to raise money for Peek's fight with cancer.
The Eagles forged ahead in the season with districts and sectionals before state with Mark Krause -- who will be the new head boys track and field coach next year -- and David Chatlos filling in with co-head roles throughout the remainder of the season.
Despite focusing on his fight with cancer, Peek admitted it was hard to stay away. While he decided not to attend districts and sectionals to not be a distraction -- in his words -- he followed on Twitter.
"The teams were wearing the t-shirts to support me and I got to do my job and support them," Peek said.
He even found himself coaching a little bit. Dennis Morrison sent a video of his son Matthew Morrison's first throw at districts. Peek initially noticed a technical tweak that was needed and passed it along.
"I'm still coaching, that is who I am," Peek said.
Even after the diagnosis, Peek was still planning on teaching the rest of the school year, though principal Dr. Precious Kurth told him to stay home and rest -- the district got a sub for him for the remainder of the school year.
Kurth is a breast cancer survivor and knows the type of days that were ahead for Peek.
He's been a coach for 26 years and decided in January he would take a step back to focus on family.
Peek went to Northwest Missouri State and threw the discus, hammer, shot and javelin from 1988-1992.
The Northwest Missouri State graduate started his coaching/teaching career at Plattsburg High School in 1995. He was there for six years. He held roles as assistant football coach, middle school basketball coach, and volunteer track coach for a season before becoming the track coach and later athletic director. He also coached at Staley, North Kansas City, Oak Park and Belton. His daughter, Kaitlin Peek, threw at Liberty North. She placed 3rd at the 2021 Class 5 state championship in the discus and followed in her dad's footsteps and went to Northwest Missouri State.
Since the surgery, he's been posting daily updates on a blog. There's been good days and bad days. He's even gone out to the Big Beefer events at Liberty North, where throwers get a chance to hone their craft more.
He's launched the Grip It and Rip It Foundation. Morrison repeated as the state javelin champion in Class 5 and held up a Grip It and Rip IT t-shirt that said Coach Peek, Beat Cancer on the back after his medal-stand photo.
"I'm ready to go attack this cancer head-on," he said. "My mind is right and clear. I'm focused and ready. I got a living to do."