Dexter, Missouri – The Dexter High School honored athletes who participated in spring sports at their annual banquet on Thursday evening. Sports recognized were girls softball, baseball, golf, boys tennis and track.
Girls Softball:
Kaylee Carey received the Batting Average Award. She batted .426 with 26 hits and a .490 on base percentage.
“She worked really hard,” stated Dexter softball coach Starla Pulley. “She had the determination and drive to want to be a better player. She would stay after practice for two hours with her dad to continue working on hitting. I cannot wait to see what she does in upcoming seasons.”
Brittany Brown received the Team Dedication Award. Brown batted .302 and never missed a practice. She played in the catcher’s position.
“This young lady was a great leader for our team,” Pulley said. “She had never played the position of catcher before, but stepped up and did a great job this season and never complained. She was always one of the first ones to put up the equipment.”
Dakota Silliman received the Most Valuable Player Award. She batted .396, maintained an on base percentage of .500, tallied 21 hits, recorded 20 stolen bases and hit two home runs.
“Dakota was our leader in all areas,” Pulley said. “She was a great asset and will be truly missed next year.”
Track:
“The top male award goes to an athlete that did what was asked of him,” commented Dexter track coach Kim Waldner. “No matter what we put him in he just ran. He always had a positive attitude and his work ethic will only make him better.”
The Top Male Award went to Zack Cartwright.
MaKayla Waldner received the Top Female Award. She currently holds four Dexter track records and has a couple of state track records as well as meet records at different school.
“She works hard in every event and puts forth 110 percent effort all the time,” stated coach Waldner.
Baseball:
Colton Averett received the Batting Average Award. He had a .494 batting average entering District competition.
“He almost got to .500,” stated Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker. “I started looking back at the last 15 or so seasons and I haven’t had anyone reach .500 yet and he’s so close to it.”
The Most Valuable Player Award also went to Colton Averett.
“This award is voted on by the players,” commented coach Becker. “not only did he bat .494 he had 38 hits, 13 RBIs, was 15 of 16 on stolen bases and threw out 12 base runners as catcher. He’s had a great season for the Dexter Bearcats.”
Boys Tennis:
Coach Lovelady spoke about the team's 10-0 season. This is the first time that Dexter will host the Districts as well as the Sectionals which will be held on Saturday, May 23rd.
Josh Kohlbaker and Ethan Flowers received the Singles Award.
“Both currently have a record of 9-2 in singles,” stated Dexter coach Kurt Lovelady. “They have played well and are definitely great singles players. I loved watching them play in our flighted singles tournament at Farmington.”
Josh Kohlbaker and Zach Potts received the Doubles Award.
“They are currently 12-0,” Lovelady said, prior to them playing in Districts.
Golf:
Ethan Flowers received the Most Valuable Player Award.
“He currently has a singles record of 11-1 and doubles record of 9-2,” according to Lovelady prior to Districts. “He’s maintained the #1 spot on the team all year and finished second in his #1 flight at Farmington.”
Ethan Stevens received the Medalist Award for golf. He medaled in four tournaments, maintained a stroke average of 38, broke the current 18-hole at Dexter with a 69 in the state sectional and became the first Dexter High School golfer to finish first at a sectional in school history.
“He’s one of the best ball strikers I have had the opportunity to coach,” commented Dexter golf coach Eric Sitze. “He has been our #1 golfer all three years of his high school career.”
