Bulletin staff report

REDMOND – The spring high school sports season has just concluded, but officials at Redmond High School are already looking ahead to the next spring sports season.

Redmond athletic director Kelly Bokn on Thursday announced three major coaching changes involving spring sports at the school.

Kevan Pratt, a former head baseball coach at Redmond High, has been named the Panthers’ new head softball coach.

Pratt replaces Mike Gedrose, who stepped down after the 2004 campaign. Gedrose spent the past 10 years as the head coach, directing Redmond to the Class 4A state playoffs in each of the past nine seasons.

”He brings us a strong leadership style and a great amount of experience in developing a strong feeder program and competitive spirit,” Bokn said of Pratt in a statement. ”We are very pleased to have a coach of Kevan’s caliber directing our girls softball program.”

Bob Johnson, who served as head track and field coach at Sisters High School for five seasons ending in 2003, takes over for Rick Nickell. Johnson also has coached track at West Linn High School in suburban Portland.

”He took last year off and realized that he still had the passion and drive to commit to kids,” said Bokn. ”We are excited about his ability to promote track and his commitment to teaching our youth. Bob brings us an extensive level of experience.”

A change also is taking place with the Redmond boys golf program, with Ron Buerger leaving Mountain View after three seasons to take over as head coach of the Panthers.

Buerger, who resides in Redmond, has children attending Redmond schools and serves as the teaching professional at the Missing Link Family Golf Center in Redmond. He replaces Jim Westendorf, who guided the Panthers for the past three seasons.

”Ron brings an extensive background in coaching knowledge and experience, and we are excited about his vision to build a strong foundation of golf at Redmond High School,” said Bokn.