The Dexter Cross Country Team traveled to Memphis to compete in the City Auto Memphis Twilight XC Classic 2024 on Saturday evening. The team finished 12th out of 41 teams. Their best finish at this meet.
"Saturday nights performance was a great first step," commented head Cross Country coach Josh Dowdy. "This should give the boys some confidence as we head into next week when we host some of our local schools. I am anxious to see where we stack up."
The only varsity girl on the team, Quincey McLaughlin, finished 215th in 30:25.10.
On the boys varsity team, Cameron Bell finished 33rd with a time of 17:11.00 followed by Ben Dowdy who placed 50th with a time of 17:31.78. Jaxon King finished 70th with a time of 18:04.66 Blake Lee finished in 92nd place with a time of 18:32.32.
Daniel Williams finished 140th with a time of 19:33.58. Gabe Proctor placed 20th with a time of 21:02.34. Peyton Ballance finished 279th with a time of 23:36.84.
"Immediately after the race, our upperclassmen mentioned that Daniel Williams was the highlight of the evening," stated Dowdy. "Anytime you have a group that celebrates the success of their teammates, especially in a sport where there is an individual component, tells me these boys truly grasp the team concept."
For Daniel, a freshman, to come out of the gate and finish around 19:30 was definitely a good showing. His finish helped the Bearcats finish with an average of 18:11, the lowest the 'Cats have ever done at the Memphis Twilight, even if it is by one second, it counts!
Blake Lee also had a great first meet with a personal best of 18:32. "Blake has come a long way in one year and there is no doubt with his work ethic he has many personal bests ahead of him," Dowdy said.
The Memphis Twilight performance was a great first step. "This should give the cross country team some confidence as we head into next week when we host some of our local schools," commented Dowdy. "I am anxious to see where we stack up!"
As a team Dexter finished 12th against a tremendous amount of talent at Memphis. Rock Bridge High School out of Columbia, Missouri finished first followed by West Plains High School, Martin Luther King HS, Providence Christian School, Tupelo HS, Madison Central HS, Franklin HS, Houston HS, Collierville HS, Arlington HS, and Oxford HS. These are the top 12 out of 41 teams who competed.
Come out Saturday, September 7th at Charles Bland Stadium as they host the Dexter Invitation Cross Country Meet at 9:30 a.m.
