The 2023 Dexter High School Fall Sports Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

"The winter sports season feels both tremendously long and oddly short all at the same time. One moment, you’re looking forward to the end when you have “free time” and the next you’re wishing for time to slow down so you can embrace each “last,” commented Rilee Jones, Basketball Cheerleading Coach.  "I know for senior athletes, this is especially true. To me, one of the best things about athletics and about coaching is getting to watch athletes flourish in their talents and successes, but also growing as individual people along the way. What I love most about coaching cheerleading is getting to witness that growth, as well as the lessons learned, the humble teaching moments, and the unbelievable talent among this squad. I also cherish the moments of watching these girls cheer the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams to victories on the sidelines while also having fun."

When it comes to a typical game day for these girls, the basketball cheerleaders are responsible for memorizing and perfecting over eighty sideline chants, countless timeout and floor cheers, as well as routines, stunts, and tumbling sequences - sometimes doing so 3 - 4 nights a week on those busier game weeks.  They have handled their responsibilities well this year and have consistently made me proud. 

"This year, one of the team’s proudest moments is “taking back the plaque” as we like to say," continued Jones. "Winning the SCAA cheerleading award is an ultimate honor for Dexter Cheerleading. County week is a time that the squad gets to showcase their diligent work and commitment with the goal in mind to win. It sure feels good to know this team are county champions again!

"Besides that, this year has also been a lesson about prioritizing responsibilities and having effective time management. Unlike any other year before, these girls all balanced competitive cheerleading practices at various times of the mornings and evenings, then turning around to attend school, keep their grades up, and then attend another basketball cheer practice or game in the evening. I know there are some other competitive cheerleaders in the crowd tonight who can relate to this as well. All this said, I am so proud of these young ladies for their determination to get through the frustration, the tears, the setbacks, the injuries, and the disappointments in order to turn those setbacks into valuable life lessons and motivation to keep going and improve. It has been a successful season, and I couldn’t be more proud of this team," Jones said of her girls.

Cheer athletes that received varsity letters are Lexi Bennett, Bella Cook, Emma Dorton, Ellie Dowdy, Jayci Holcomb, Lexi Holden, Meredith Nea, Emma Pennington, Avery Riley, Grace Sepulvado, Nia Stromas, and Cali White.

Coach Jones wanted to reflect about her seniors.  Below are her comments about each one.

Jayci: She is the sweetest, kindest soul, as well as one of the captains this year who has helped the squad and me stay organized with a positive attitude at all times. She is always smiling, understanding, and trustworthy, and I can’t commend her enough for that. I am especially proud of Jayci’s improvement with tumbling over her time on the squad.

Lexi: She is the most encouraging cheerleader on this squad. She is a cheerleader for the cheerleaders. There is never a moment when a teammate needs some encouraging words that Lexi is not clapping for, individually helping them, or getting in their face and telling them to conquer whatever they’re afraid of. I am so proud of her. 

Bella: She has made so much progress over her time on the squad with her confidence, sidelines motions, tumbling, and especially jumps. She has a toe-touch that will make anyone do a double-take. Bella is a team player, always up to do what is needed to better her team. She has stepped up multiple times, especially while stunting, to help other groups or individual cheerleaders better themselves, and I admire her for that. 

Grace: She is the most hype cheerleader on the squad. There is literally never a dull moment when Grace is around. She is always making the girls and me laugh, but she also knows when to be serious and to help others. She too is one of the captains this year, in which her leadership has made me beyond proud. I have faith that Grace’s amazing talent in cheerleading will continue past high school.

Ellie: She is the most level-headed one of the group. She is always making me smile, as well as making me proud with her work ethic and improvement in tumbling and sidelines over the years. I also admire Ellie’s leadership qualities and her determination to do something relentlessly until it looks showcase worthy. She settles for nothing but the very best, a quality every cheerleader should have.

"Each of these seniors has brought laughter, leadership, and talent to this squad. They have a skill set and energy that will be missed. Thank you for the roles you have served in this sport and the memories your team and I will never forget. Good luck in your futures; you make me proud."

"To be considered for the Basketball Cheerleading Award, I have compiled individual cheerleaders’ commitment, dedication, talent, effort, and overall passion for this sport throughout their time on the team. Cheerleading takes a lot of patience, understanding, teamwork, flexibility, and leadership. There are many qualities that cheerleaders must exhibit both on and off the court to be deemed an exceptional cheerleader. That said, the basketball cheerleading award recipient must exemplify these qualities in order to be chosen. This year, the basketball cheerleading award goes to someone who consistently shows enthusiasm and passion for cheerleading, who makes efficient and sound decisions for her team, and who has always respected me as a coach. She has consistently shown dedication to her team, as well as exemplified extraordinary talent in cheerleading over the past four years."

Congratulations to this year’s cheerleading award recipient, Grace Sepulvado.

The 2023 Dexter High School Fall Sports Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Lindsay Woods is the Dance Team Coach and this is her first year with the Kickin' Cats!  " This is my first year coaching the Dance Team," stated Woods.  " Thanks to Coach Dowdy for having confidence in me that I could even do this because cheer and dance are NOT the same!  Special thanks to my dancers too for showing me the ropes and being patient with me as I transitioned out of a cheer mind and into a dance coach mind."

"As a team, we want to thank both the boys and girls basketball teams for a great season!" continued Woods.

Each member of the Kickin' Cats Dance Team earned a varsity letter.  they are Abriana Frazier, susan Wells, Calysta Whitaker, Rylee Corlew, Addie Medley, Emma Worley, Rylee Eaton, Blair Medley, Ava Schaefer, and Merideth Benton.

The dance award is given to a senior dancer who exhibits the following qualities:  She showed up to each game and practice with a positive attitude and a smile on her face, made practice and game attendance a priority, was collaborative with her teammates, gave relentless effort, is honest, and always striving to improve.  

"It has been a joy to be this young lady's coach for the past few years and this is officially our last season together," Woods said.

The Kickin' Cats Dance Award goes to Callie Whitaker.

The 2023 Dexter High School Fall Sports Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Coach Cody Boyer, in his first year as wrestling head coach took the stage first and thanked many people who helped make this year's first year a great year.

"I want to thank Colton Gibson," stated Boyer.  "Thank you for loving this sport so much that you would drive from Cape Girardeau every day to help with the middle school and the high school teams.  It takes a massive amount of dedication to work a regular job, got to school full time and coach.  It has been a pleaser!"

Freshmen: Simon Bruyette (the shoe game KING), Wyatt Hockersmith, Conrad Purnell (the most flexible person I know), Kodi Lynn, Carson Mullins (the jokester), Shyden Conn-Harris and Paxton White (the Samurai).

"I want to note something pretty special," commented Boyer. "Purnell is the first African American State Qualifier at Dexter High School!  I'm pretty proud of him."

The entire wrestling team came to the stage.

Sophomores: Alex Dyle and Kylie Cook

Juniors: Ryan Young, Kasen Forkum, Garrett Coons, James DeBerry (the boy who goes 100% all day), Avin Vincent (Lil Baby), Noah Bruyett, Chase Berry, Kennedy mcCormick and Emily Barrett.

Seniors: Eric Harmon and Kolin Simpson.

"The season started off really rough.  We had sickness and injuries going around.  I don't know if we had our fullest line-up until the en do fht season," stated Boyer. "We laughed, we cried, we yelled and we bled together.  We started off broken, but became a family."

At the Tiger Class in Cape Girardeau they had two 3rd place finishers Eric Harmon and Kolin Simpson.  On the girls side Kennedy McCormick finished 2nd.

The Bearcats took three to the SEMO Conference Tournament because of injuries.  Kennedy McCormick finished 2nd in the girls division.  

At the District Tournament they team finished 7th our ot 15 team participating.  They had one District Champion and that was senior Eric Harmon.

Dexter took five to the State Championship - Conrad Purnell, Eric Harmon, Ryan Young, Kasen Forkum, and Kolin Simpson.

Kolin Simpson will leave Dexter High School as one of the best heavyweights that has come through the program. He is a 2-time State qualifier.  He moves really well for a 285 lb wrestler  "I hope he continues his sports career somewhere," commented Boyer. "I believe he will wrestle and play football at Westminster University."

Eric Harmon completes his high school career with 117 wins.  He will DHS as a SEMO Conference Champion, a 2-time district Champion and a 4-time State qualifier.  "I coached Eric for 6 years.  There are not a lot of athletes that I have had the privilege of coaching in middle school and high school," continued Boyer. "It will not be the same without Eric in the room.  He will be continuing his wrestling career as he heads to Fontbonne University to join another former Bearcat wrestler Diego McCormick.  I know he will do great things."

Boy Letter Winners are Chase Berry, James DeBerry, Kasen Forkum, Eric Harmon, Wyatt Hockersmith, Kodi Lynn, Carson Mullins, Conrad Purnell, Ryan Young, and Noah Bruyette-Prov.

Girls Letter Winners are Emily Barrett, Kaylie Cook, and Kennedy McCormick.

Most Improved Wrestler: This award goes to a wrestler that has wrestled three years and is starting to find their groove.  They finished 2nd at the Tiger Classic and 2nd at the SEMO Conference.  They battled in every match and they practice hard in the room.  This year's award goes to female wrestler, Kennedy McCormick.

Most Aggressive Wrestler: This award goes to a wrestler who fights every time they step on the mat.  they look to finish early.  this year's award goes to senior male wrestler Eric Harmon.

Most Valuable Player: This year's award winner has wrestled all four years of high school.  He is a 4-time State qualifier, 2-time District Champion and a SEMO Conference Champion.  He finished with a 33-7 record.  The Most Valuable Wrestler is Eric Harmon.

Dexter, MO - The 8th Grade Volleyball Team is ready to begin their season on Monday, February 27, 2023 when they travel to Bell City.  Game time for 8th grade is 7:00 p.m.  The 7th grade volleyball team will play prior to their game.

2023 8th Grade Volleyball Schedule:

7 p.m. 2/27 @ Bell City

7 p.m. 2/28 vs Woodland (H)

7 p.m. 3/6 vs Kelly (H)

6:30 p.m. 3/7 @ Richland

7 p.m. 3/9 @ Puxico

3/11 Jackson Tournament TBA

6:30 p.m. 3/14 vs Kennett (H)

6:30 p.m. 3/20 @ Poplar Bluff

7 p.m. 3/23 @ Bernie

7 p.m. 3/27 vs Doniphan (H)

7 p.m. 3/28 @ Scott City

6:30 p.m. 3/30 vs Advance (H)

7 p.m. 3/31 vs Bloomfield (H)

April 3rd - 8th SCAA Tournament TBA

Roster includes #2 Brooklyn Goodman, #19 Lorelei Guethle, #12 Mali McBride, #4 Bailey McCoy, #17 Quincey McLaughlin, #10 Maurine Menley, #16 Gabby Orellana, #3 Melanie Pfeffer, #14 Raychel Robison, #22 Abigail Terry, #18 Addy Walker, and #13 Chloe Warren.

Front row from left to right are Gabby Orellana, Melanie Pfeffer, Bailey McCoy, Mali McBride, Brooklyn Goodman, and Lorelei Guethle.

Back row from left to right are Quincey McLaughlin, Abigail Terry, Maurine Menley, Addy Walker, Chloe Warren, and Rachel Robison.