Written by

Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Dexter, Missouri – This Dexter Senior High School athlete has proven herself in tennis, basketball, soccer, track and field.

Now Sophomore, MaKayla Waldner, will make history when she steps on the field next Friday night, August 30th, at the first home game of the season for the Dexter Bearcats.  She will become the first female Bearcat football athlete!

One would have to go back quite a few years to find the first ever female high school football player.  Luverne Wise kicked six extra points for the Escambia County, Alabama High School football team way back in 1939.  Since that time, many young ladies have worked hard to compete in a male dominated sport. 

Katie Hnida was the first female to score in a NCAA Division 1-A college football game.  She accomplished this as a placekicker for the University of New Mexico Lobos on August 30, 1983.

Now, exactly 20 years to that infamous date, MaKayla will enter the record books for the Dexter Bearcats. 

Waldner who practices with the team daily says her male teammates have never made her feel uncomfortable.  Actually on her first day of practice they had her “breakout” at the end of practice.

She has already proven herself in the sports arena.  Not only has she broken school records, but state records as well.  She hopes to travel to Greece in 2014 with the National PAO soccer team.

Her accomplishments so far are astounding!

2 time AAU Indoor National champion

           55m hurdles

           Pentathlon – National Record holder since 2010

Show Me State Games – track and field

            6 state records  - HJ, shot put, short hurdles, 400m and

                                                     2 long jump records

Long Jump record still holds she competed at 6 and

                                          under, 2003

International European National track meet Berlin, Germany 2009

            1^st place 65m hurdles

            4^th Shot put

            4^th 800m Run

            6^th Long Jump

 

            Tennis – varsity letter

                        DHS team most single wins

                        DHA team most double wins

            Basketball – varsity letter

                        4^th in the State of Missouri

                        Sikeston Standard

                                 Democrat newspaper:              

                                     Best Freshman Player

                                     Best Spark Off the Bench

            Track – varsity letter

                        Most Valuable Player

                        3^rd place in state – 100m hurdles

                        8^th place in state – 300m hurdles

                        State qualifier – LJ and 4x100 relay

                        2 school records in the 100m hurdles

                                          and 300m hurdles

                        Sikeston Standard Democrat

                                Player of the Year in Track

Western Kentucky United Soccer team – Won KY State Cup 2013

Currently plays for West KY and Panathinaikos Soccer Team in St. Louis

National PAO Soccer Team still pending 2^nd tryout in September – team will travel to Greece for 10 days next year

Her brother, Trevor Waldner, who is also plays for the Dexter Bearcat Football team, says, “Having my sister on the team is pretty cool and I am really proud of her."  Trevor is extremely supportive of MaKayla and so are his teammates! 

“I also have to get used to the helmet.  That’s something new,” continued Waldner.  “I hope the boys treat me like any other player as well.”

Coach Peden is delighted to have the first female kicker at Dexter High School.  "I believe she will represent the Dexter Varsity Football Team well."  Peden who is in his maided year as the Head Football Coach also encouraged her to try-out for the team and kick for the Bearcats!

“I am so excited about the first game.  I have to get over my nervousness.” Waldner continued. And she will, as soon as her adrenalin kicks in and she steps onto the field Friday night.

Makayla said, “My sister Brittney inspired me. She was the first female DHS wrestler and when she went to State, people knew who she was.”

“I am not new to football, I played in little league.  I even scored a touchdown.  I just hope that I get the chance to kick and show people a girl can play football too.  Little girls will have something to look forward too and someone like them to look up to."

Makayla may not be the first female to play high school football, but when she takes the field she will go down in the Dexter Senior High School history book!

Way to go MaKayla!

The Dexter Community is very proud of your athletic accomplishments!  Kick one between the uprights!  Go Bearcats!