Dexter runners in pursuit of more success in a familiar place at C3D1 Meet

The Dexter High School cross country squad poses following their competition earlier this season at the Dexter Invitational.

photo provided

A few years ago, just advancing out of the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 Cross Country Meet was an achievement for the boy runners at Dexter High School. However, after finishing second in each of the past two District races, and finishing fifth and seventh, respectively at the MSHSAA Class 3 State Finals, the Bearcat runners have a different mentality when approaching the postseason.

“It’s been a process,” Bearcat coach Josh Dowdy said of building the program to this point.

The Dexter boys will compete in the District race on Saturday at the Arcadia Valley Sports Complex in Ironton, and the Class 3 No.3-ranked Bearcats have high expectations for themselves.

“We’ve kept things simple and consistent over the years,” Dowdy continued.

Dexter advanced out of the District Meet for the first time in over five decades two autumns ago when current seniors Cameron Bell and Ben Dowdy were sophomores. Those two have provided the leadership in building a program that relies as much on chemistry as it does pure talent.

“Since June,” Dowdy said, “this team has run together six days a week. It’s about showing up, putting in the miles, and holding each other accountable.”

The Dexter runners will vie for the District title against tough teams from both Herculaneum and Notre Dame, two squads that Dowdy said “we have a lot of respect for.”

A year ago, Bell finished fourth in this meet while Dowdy (eighth), and current junior Jaxon King took 16th.

“Their (training) routine has built a strong foundation,” Dowdy said. “It has helped them build trust among one another.”

Dexter’s depth has been built this season by junior Blake Lee, who recently had a top 10 finish at the SEMO Conference Meet, as well as freshmen Gabriel Proctor and Daniel Williams.

“Knowing that they are in this together every step of the way has made a big difference,” Dowdy said.

Another “big difference” will be that the Bearcat athletes are competing on familiar territory.

In cross country, the course not just CAN vary from meet to meet, it DOES vary every competition. Dexter travels to Arcadia Valley a couple of times each season for meets, so Dowdy’s boys know every inch of the course.

“We have a lot of familiarity with this course,” Dowdy said. “It’s very flat. We’ve had a lot of success there in the past.

“We’re hoping to have success there (on Saturday) like we have had in the past.”

The top four of the 22 teams competing in Class 3 District 1 will advance to next week’s State Finals at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia on November 9.