Columbia, MO - The Dexter Bearcats Cross Country Team took second place in the white division at the Gans Creek Classic on Saturday with a team average time of 17:36.
Three boys and one girl medaled at the event. Chris Stone led the way finished 4th with a time of 17:05. Cameron bell finished ninth with a time of 17:24 and Ben Dowdy finished 12th with a time of 17:28.
On the girls side, Miss Abbie Lloyd finished 15th with a time of 21:40.
On Wednesday prior to this meet Dexter competed at the Van Buren Scenic River run in Carter County. Alliye Lee placed 19th with a time of 27:34. Jasmine Smith finished with time of 29:46 earning her a 21st place finish and Lilly Crockett finished 24th with a time of 30:08.
On the boys side Stryker Munzy finished 30th with a time of 23:54 and Gavin McMullin finished 31st with a time of 24:00.
T.S. Hill Middle School Cross Country team is coached by Brent Shipman. They had their first home meet on Tuesday.
You can still have an opportunity to see them run!
Here is their schedule for the rest of the 2022 season:
10/1 Notre Dame Invitational 10:00 am
10/8 SCAA Conference 9:00 am
10/13 SEMO Conference 4:30 pm
10/15 Farmington Invitational 12:00 pm
10/22 Dexter Invitational 11:00 am
Back Row (left to right): Adriannah Owens, Madilynn Palmer, Kayleigh Hilfiker, Quincy McLaughlin, Peyton Ballance, and Hunter Massey.
Front Row: Alecia McKissack, Sadie Long, Jacob Hurdle, and Connor Hankins.
Not pictured is Lorelei Guethle
Photo by Coach Brent Shipman
Dexter Cross Country boys and girls teams are doing well. Dexter took fourth place with 105 points at the Arcadia Valley Cross Country Invitational, placing three in the top 25. Senior Chris Stone was the Bearcats' best finisher at 16th.
Varsity Boys Results
Chris Stone 17:31.71 16th Senior
Cameron Bell 17:37.71 18th Sophomore
Ben Dowdy 17:38.36 19th Sophomore
Clayton Bell 18:04.04 27th Senior
Anistin Kyle 18:27.09 32nd Junior
JV Boys Results
Jaxon King 20:17.98 27th Freshman
Varsity Girls Results
Abbie Lloyd 22:34.07 20th Junior
"We asked for a couple of kids to step up this week and they delivered," commented head cross country coach Josh Dowdy, "Our team average dropped down to 17:51 after finishing with an average of 19:27 at Arcadia a year ago. Cameron Bell, Anistin Kyle, Clayton Bell and Jaxon King knocked off more than 30 seconds from last week."
"In the girls’ race, Abbie Lloyd made a gain this week with time of 22:34(20th Place)."
The cross country team was off this past weekend, but are training for the Gans Creek Invitation.
Pictured from left to right are Chase Farmer, Anistin Kyle, Clayton Bell, Ben Dowdy, Cameron Bell, Chris Stone, and Nathan Harris.
Dexter, MO - Though the actual season started just last Saturday, the Dexter boys and girls cross country Bearcats have been running all summer in preparation of this year's 2022 season.
"When we met in the spring, we set out to put in a lot of miles this summer and to accomplish something no other boys team has done at Dexter in over 50 years - a trip to state as a team," stated Dexter's head cross country coach Josh Dowdy. (Dowdy is also the athletic directors for Dexter Public Schools). "We have sent some individuals to state, but we are now looking to take our program to the next level."
If you think that cross country is an easy sport, think again. These athletes train year-round in the heat and the cold, they never stop running. It is an enduring sport that not only requires athleticism, but mental attitude and endurance to keep fighting when they can't feel their legs and can barely breath.
"I told them it will be easier said than done….easy to sit here and talk about it in a room filled with cold air," continued Dowdy. "The real proof will be if we decide to pound the pavement in mid-July when the temps and humidity are a challenge. This group has done it-they have been very dedicated and I am excited for them now to see the results of their hard work."
Since the season started officially, the kids have really embraced the team concept, both girls and boys. They are rooting hard for one another in practice and they are really motivating one another to do their best.
The girls have set some personal goals this season and are training hard so they are in the position to make it happen.
"We can’t thank the community enough for their support…..while putting in miles over the summer and preseasoon, we have had people yell, honk, wave, smile and even spray us down at the car wash! It has been a blast and has been an awesome motivator for our team…..and we don’t plan on stopping until we reach our goals."
Individual State Qualifiers from 2021
Girls
Abbie Lloyd- 102nd
Boys
Cameron Bell-117th
Clayton Bell-95th
Ben Dowdy-64th
You can see them run locally at the SCAA Conference in Bloomfield on October 8th and again at the Dexter Invitational on October 22nd.
Front row from left to right: Stryker Muzny, Jasmine Smith, Alyssa Gross, Alliye Lee, Lilly Crockett, Abby Lloyd, and Jaxon King.
Back row from left to right: Nathan Harris, Ben Dowdy, Clayton Bell, Chris Stone, Chase Farmer, Anistin Kyle, and Cameron Bell.
