Dexter XC seniors being counted on for performance, leadership

The Dexter High School boy's cross country squad poses prior to a summer training session at the school earlier this summer at the school.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

DEXTER – The Dexter High School varsity boy’s cross country squad spent the entire summer “building a base,” according to senior Cameron Bell, but now that the season is here, and competition nears, the training gets turned up a notch.

“You need every mile before the season starts,” Bell explained, “that is so important. When you have those miles, and you get to your season and you’re starting to do workouts, to have that really solid base, it really takes your running to another level.”

For Bell, that would be saying something.

As a junior, he broke the school record several times, including running a 16:10.3 to place 8th overall in the MSHSAA Class 3 State Finals.

“We have noticed,” Bell continued, “when you don't have a base (of conditioning), that separates the good runners and the great runners.”

Bell will be joined by fellow senior Ben Dowdy in leading this year’s squad, which has high hopes for the state meet in November.

“We want that team plaque,” Dowdy said, “which is going to be tough this year.”

Bearcat runners (officially) begin pursuit of 'BIG trophy' today

Tom Davis

The Dexter High School boys cross country program has done A LOT of running this summer, but Bearcat senior Ben Dowdy said the squad still hasn't caught up with what it is chasing with all of its heart.

What a “team plaque” constitutes is finishing among the top four teams at the state finals. The Bearcats finished fifth two seasons ago, and seventh last fall.

The two seniors lead an eight-man group, while sophomore Quincey McLaughlin is the lone female runner this autumn.

“My hope for the two seniors,” Dexter coach Josh Dowdy said of looking at this season, “is for them both to embrace the leadership opportunity they have with two freshmen coming into the program.”

The two veterans will be joined by juniors Jaxon King, Blake Lee, and Stryker Muzny, as well as sophomore Peyton Balance, and freshmen Gabriel Proctor and Daniel Williams.

“Cameron and Ben have already proven they can run,” Josh Dowdy said. “But now the challenge is for them to help others and give back to the program.”

The two have shown leadership all summer, as the team rose before dawn to log miles together.

“I am so proud of how both of them have put in the daily miles,” Josh Dowdy said. “Those two, along with Jaxon, Blake, and Peyton, have been pounding the pavement six days a week since early June.

“For teenage boys to wake up at 6 a.m., six days a week, over the summer, shows their commitment and discipline. That, in itself, impresses me. I want to believe that will serve them well whatever they choose to do (in life).”

Dowdy finished 27th at last fall’s state meet while King placed 74th and Lee took 148th.

“We have high expectations for ourselves,” Josh Dowdy said. “We’re not quite where we want to be yet (but) this group is hungry and I’m confident they will continue chewing up the streets until they reach their goals, which is, hopefully, a trip back to the state (finals).”

The Bearcat's first competition of the fall will be at the Memphis Twilight Classic on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.