Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter High School Cross Country Team will have their first competition at the Jackson Community 5K on August 25th.  They will then travel to B to the Brooks Memphis Twilight on September 1, 2018.

The Cross Country team will be represented by one senior this year, Miss Hannah Smith.  Last year they graduated eleven from their 2017 varsity team.  

"We have some big shoes to fill this fall for the Dexter Cross Country team," commented head cross country coach Leonard Morse. "We graduated eleven in May and they will be missed, not just for their talent, but also for their leadership."

"Hannah is a second-year runner, who lettered last year.  I am expecting her to continue to improve and her energy and good-natured attitude are great assets to our team."

"We have rebuilt our team and expect our numbers to surpass the twenty-two runners we had last year.  The new squad is enthusiastic and hardworking.  We have an interesting mix of personalities.  I anticipate our team to be competitive, especially on the girls’ side."

Juniors are Fuyu Fushii, Grace Milam, Marge Nea, AnnMarie Slaton, Madison Slaton, Dylan Homan, Trey Johnson, Kolby Musgrave, and Wyatt Parker.

"We have a key returnee in junior Margo Nea.  Margo qualified for the State Championships last fall.  She is intent on improving on her breakout year and making a return trip to Jefferson City.  I look for great things from her," continued Morse.

Sophomores are McKayla Annesser, Jaycee Chappell, Alanie Lacy, Layne Medler, Kobe Cagle, Gavin Cartwright, Gage Coleman, Carter Dorton, Andrew Ellinghouse, and Matthew West.

Freshmen are Gabbie Brown, Gabe McGhee, and Miller McLaughlin.

"Margo Nea (junior) will be joined by our Middle School cross country record holder, Gabbie Brown, a very promising freshman.  Grace Milam, another junior, made great strides at the end of last season and is looking at a very strong season this fall.  They will be part of a rather large number of girls."

Manager is Victoria Bess, a junior.

"On the boys’ side, junior Wyatt Parker and sophomores Carter Dorton and Andrew Ellinghouse are the only returning runners.  They are competitive runners and bring energy to the team along with Gavin Cartwright, another sophomore.  We have several new runners that will provide us with valuable depth.  I am very excited about this season!"

"As a sign of the growth and health of our program, we have been rewarded with a new Middle School Cross Country Coach.  Josh Delay will be the MS coach this year.  Coach Delay started the Bloomfield CC program and I have the utmost confidence that he will be able to strengthen our program.  I am thrilled to have Coach Delay on the staff."

2018 Dexter High School Cross Country Schedule

9 a.m. Sat 8/25 at Jackson High School Invitational

7 p.m. Sat 9/1 at Brooks Memphis Twilight

9 a.m. Sat 9/8 at Forest Park

9 a.m. Sat 9/15 at Cape Central High School

4 p.m. Wed 9/19 at Van Buren High School 

8:30 a.m. Sat 9/29 at Notre Dame Invitational

Mon 10/8 SCAA Conference (TBA)

Thu 10/11 SEMO Conference (TBA)

11 a.m. Sat 10/13 at Farmington High School Invitational

11 a.m. Sat 10/20 Dexter High School Invitational (HOME)

Sat 10/27 Districts (TBA)

Sat 11/3 STATE (TBA)

Pictured Front Row (L to R) Manager Victoria Bess, Fuyu Fujii, Hannah Smith, Grace Milam, Jaycee Chappell, Alanie Lacy, Layne Medler, McKayla Annesser

Mid Row (L to R) Kolby Musgrave, Dylan Homan, Margo Nea, Madison Slaton, AnnMarie Slaton, Trey Johnson, Wyatt Parker

Last Row (L to R) Matthew West, Gage Coleman, Gavin Cartwright, Carter Dorton, Gabe McGhee, Miller McLaughlin, Kobe Cagle

Not Pictured Andrew Ellinghouse and Gabrielee Brown