The Dexter Bearcats Cross Country team competed at the Arcadia Valley Cross Country Meet on Saturday, September 9, 2023.  They had a tremendous run with three medalists. The varsity 'Cats finished 4th out of 20 teams.  Cameron Bell broke his school record from last week with a time of 16:43.63 and placed 2nd.  Ben Dowdy finished fifth with a time of 16:59.56 just seconds behind Bell and a personal best.

Abbie Lloyd finished 13th with a time of 21:22.07 and also medaled.

"We had a great week of training this past week and it showed as we made significant gains," commented Josh Dowdy, head Cross Country Coach and Athletic Director. "Cameron and Ben had personal bests by both of them breaking the 17 minute barrier. Cam broke his own record from last week with a time of 16:43.  Jaxon and Hunter had a big day too."  

"On the girls side, Abbie had a great run….seconds away from her personal best," continued Dowdy.   

"We have had 4-5 of our kids put in anywhere from 35-50 miles per week since early July. I want to believe their persistence will pay off over the course of the season."

"We have high expectations for ourselves and we’re not quite where we want to be yet—this group is hungry and I am confident they will continue chewing up the streets until they reach their goals."   

VARSITY GIRLS RESULTS

ABBIE LLOYD         13TH 21:22.07 MEDALIST

KENADY KRAPF 91ST 27:41.08

JASMINE SMITH 98TH 27:33.11

LILLYN CROCKETT 107TH         28:37.33

QUINCEY MCLAUGHLIN 111TH         29:13.66

KAYLEIGH HILFIKER 117TH         31:44.85

VARSITY BOYS RESULTS

CAMERON BELL 2ND 16:43.63 MEDALIST

BEN DOWDY         5TH 16:59.56 MEDALIST

JAXON KING         43RD 18:38.66

HUNTER MASSEY         44TH 18:40.94

NATHAN HARRIS 70TH 19:28.73

BLAKE LEE 94TH 20:13.16

JUNIOR VARSITY BOYS RESULTS

PEYTON BALLANCE 73RD 22:26.91

STRYER MUZNY 86TH 23:19.68

The Bearcats will travel to Gans Creek Cross Country in Columbia on Saturday, September 23, 2023.  Junior Varsity will travel to Van Buren on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

The Dexter Lady Bearcat tennis team opened their home schedule by defeating Sikeston 8-1.  This was their third straight victory.

Dexter swept the doubles matches with Dexter's Katarrah Churchill and Emerson Dorton defeated Chloe Lin and Aloni Hiren Maisuria 8-3.

Sophia James and Febe Chanel Worley defeated Juliet Francis Collins and Alanna Grace Jones 8-4 and Puja S. Maisuria and Kinsey Kennedy defeated Anna Christine Steward  Purves and Cheyenne Taylor Parker 8-2.

Dexter picked up wins in five of the six singles matches also.

Emerson (DEX) defeated Maisuria 8-5

James (DEX) defeated Collins 8-0

Maisuria (DEX) defeated Purves 8-3

Avery Medley (DEX) defeated Parker 8-0

Lin picked up Sikeston's only win defeating Churchill 9-8 with a 8-6 tie breaker win.

The Dexter Bearcat Cross Country Team opened their season at the Memphis Twilight Run on Saturday, September 2nd and what a run it was with Cameron Bell setting a new school record.

He finished the race in a time of 16:56.10

"Cameron was very dedicated over the summer and it showed as he broke the high school record," stated Dexter Cross Country Head Coach and High School Athletic Director Josh Dowdy.  "His 26th place finish out of 470 runners is very impressive.  I love seeing his hard work pay off!"

On the Lady Bearcats side Abbie Lloyd finished with a time of 23:23.39, Kenady Krapf 27:41.08, Lorelei Guethle 28:50.24, Lillyn Crockett 29:50.40 and Jasmine Smith 30:03.55.

Ben Dowdy finished behind Bell with a time of 17:53.93, Jaxon King 19:03.97, Chase Farmer 19:15.15, Hunter Massey 19:24.70 and Nathan Harris 20:11.98.

Dexter had three junior varsity runners compete.  They were Blake Lee finishing at 20:17.49, Stryer Munzy at 23:17.49 and Peyton Ballance 24:00.03.

The Dexter Bearcats open their season on Friday, August 25th at home hosting the Scott City Rams.  On Friday, August 18th they host a Football Jamboree featuring the Bearcats, the Poplar Bluff Mules, the Fredericktown Blackcats and the Caruthersville Tigers.  It all starts at 6:00 p.m. at Charles Bland Stadium!

"I am excited to see how our kids respond to competition," commented head football coach Chad Jamerson.  "They have worked really hard the past 8 - 9 months, whether in the weight room or practice field, to prepare themselves for the rigors of football season."

Last season the Bearcats fields a very young squad that was heavy on sophomore and only had six seniors.  This year there are 10 seniors on the roster and there are at least 14 athletes who have moved into their junior season.

There is a lot more leadership on the field this year and that should be a great asset for the Bearcats.

Each of the visiting teams present their own unique challenges for the Dexter Bearcats.

"We will be tested this Friday night by the size of Fredericktown, the speed of Caruthersville, and combination of both from Poplar Bluff," continued Jamerson.

It may only be a scrimmage and the results don't matter on the scoreboard, there is a certain amount of pride the Bearcats take in their craft, pride in their hard work on and off the filed and how they view future competition.  It does matter to everyone involved including coaches and fans.  They have put in the effort and hopefully will see many rewards on the field under the Friday night lights.

What advice did Jamerson offer the athletes, "Above all else, be a team and have fun!  You only get so many opportunities to play this game and I hope they enjoy it while they can."

The ShowMe Times will be on hand to take photos of all four teams on Friday evening.  Good luck Bearcats!

Pictured is Jett Grams running the ball during the Bearcat Midnight Madness last Friday night.

The Crowley's Ridge Limbhangers will host their annual NWTF Hunting Heritage Banquet on Friday, August 4, 2023.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at The Meadows Venue, located at 11049 State Hwy ZZ in Dexter.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $50 individual, $65 couple, Sponsors are $280 and JAKES are $20.

Please support the National Wild Turkey Federation and your local Crowley's Ridge Limbhangers as they are working hard to save a lifestyle!

Don't forget there will be GUNS, NWTF, RAFFLES, DOOR PRIZES, SILENT AUCTION and so much more!!!  This is a great event!

The Mission of the National Wild Turkey Federation is the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage!