Warrenton High School is in the process of finding new head coaches for three of its sports programs.The cross country, golf and volleyball positions have all been vacated following the decision by coaches to retire or resign.Activities Director Bobby Spoonster says the district is in the process of interviewing candidates and hopes to have all three of the vacancies filled by the next R-III school board meeting on Thursday.“We had great interest in the positions and high-quality candidates,” said Spoonster. “It’s nice to see that many people interested in leading our programs.”Cross country coach Mike Spoede has decided to retire after 22 seasons of being involved with the cross country and track programs in some type of coaching capacity. He became the cross country head coach in 1995 and girls track head coach the following year.“This is my last year of teaching, and we’ve got some younger people on staff who have the energy to take over the program,” said Spoede. “It’s a good time to cut the vines.”Spoede says he plans to stay involved with the track team as a volunteer assistant.“I’ll be still around,” said Spoede. “I’m not quitting the program. The neatest thing has been seeing the generations come through the program and the talent that has always been competitive.”Rich Barton has been coaching the golf program since 2008 but has held some type of coaching capacity since joining the district in 1989.“The thing I’ll miss most is the relationships I’ve built with my student-athletes,” said Barton. “I still have really good relationships with many of my former players.” He was the head boys basketball coach from 1994-2000. Barton has also coached baseball and track and has been the “Voice of the Warriors,” announcing home basketball, football and volleyball games since arriving in Warrenton.“There’s been a lot of changes in my life the past couple years,” said Barton. “I started thinking to the point where I want to try some other avenues. I don’t think I’m done in the education field. School is embedded in my life and it’s who I am.”Following two seasons with the volleyball program, Kristen Van Horn has decided to step away and devote time to her growing family.“Knowing how demanding the season is and now having two kids under the age of three, I knew coaching wouldn’t help my parenting,” said Van Horn. “I had to make my family my priority and watching my kids grow up is important to me.”Van Horn led the Warriors to a 38-19-3 overall record, including 20 wins during the 2013 season.“It wasn’t an easy decision,” said Van Horn, who says she would entertain the thought of returning to coaching later down the road. “I loved the program, which we had built to become pretty successful.”WARRENTON SEEKING NEW COACHES