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Dexter High School senior cross country runners Cameron Bell (166) and Ben Dowdy (167) battle with runners from Notre Dame and Puxico during a stretch in the 5K course at the recent Dexter Invitational at Dexter High School. (photo provided)
Bearcat runners enjoy being at home in winning own invite
Friday, September 13, 2024
Dexter High School senior cross country runner Cameron Bell sprints across the finish line to win the recent Dexter Invitational at Dexter High School.
photo provided
The Dexter High School boys’ and girl’s cross country runners certainly enjoyed competing at their own invitational recently. Not only was the fact that the Bearcat boy’s squad victorious over Notre Dame and Cape Central, but they also got to compete in front of family and friends around the Dexter High School grounds.
“It was so nice to be able to run in front of some familiar faces,” Bearcat coach Josh Dowdy said. “Classmates, teachers, administrators, and people from the community came out and supported us. It was awesome.
“We can’t thank them enough.”
The boy’s race was thrilling, as Bearcat senior Cameron Bell outsprinted a Bulldog competitor and claimed the race in a time of 16:31.
“That kind of effort is what we will need,” Dowdy said.
Dexter senior Ben Dowdy finished third in a time of 17:06.
“We competed well,” Dowdy said. “Everyone from top to bottom showed some grit out there.”
The remaining five Bearcat boys were stellar, as they each ran personal best times.
Jaxon King finished fourth overall in a time of 17:25 while Blake Lee (9th, 17:48), Daniel Williams (15th, 18:38), Gabe Proctor (32nd, 19:45), and Peyton Ballance (45th, 21:40) also fared well.
“We had several personal records,” Dowdy said, “which is always good to see.”
The Bearcat boys won the meet with a score of 32 points, followed by Notre Dame (40 points) and Cape Central (97).
It was just a great weekend for our boys,” Dowdy said. “Our football team made a big statement (in beating Sikeston) and we followed it up with a nice run.”
In the girl’s junior varsity race, Dexter’s lone girl runner, sophomore Quincey McLaughlin, placed 10th overall with a personal best time of 27:31.
“This team has much bigger goals than winning this meet,” Dowdy concluded. “Our summer miles are paying off.
“We just have to keep pushing.”
The Bearcats will travel to Arcadia Valley on Saturday at 9:15 a.m. for an invitational.
The course will be the same in which Dowdy’s athletes compete on in the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 meet on Nov. 2.
The Dexter High School varsity boy's cross country team poses with its championship plaque after winning the recent Dexter Invitational at Dexter High School. (photo provided)