Dexter Track Teams Fly High in Regional Meet

varsity track teams participated in the Division 1 state regional meet at Milford on Saturday. The Dreadnaughts performed well as the girls’ squad placed sixth with 46 points, while the boys’ team ended up 11^th with 29.5 points.

“The kids had a great day,” Dexter coach Dave Testa said. “We saw a lot of (personal records) in one of the most competitive regions in the state. Their hard work has paid off and we’re expecting more positive results at this week’s (Southeastern Conference) championships.”

In the girls’ meet, the Dreadnaughts dominated the pole vault, sweeping the event’s top six places. Finishing first as regional champion was Claire Tewksbury with a height of 11 feet, 6 inches. Micaela Conter was second for Dexter, clearing 10-2, while Michelle Klein was third with a 9-8. Kamie Powell, Nicole Ferguson and Katie Callaghan rounded out the top six, each registering a mark of 9-8.

In the high jump, defending state champion Nyki Caldwell placed first with a height of 5-7 for Dexter.

The Dreadnaught foursome of Caci Dishman, Elise Dombkowski, Emily Pap and Mara Bottomley finished seventh in a season-best time of 10:05 in the 3,200-meter relay.

In the boys’ meet, Dexter’s Noah Hiser finished first in the 400-meter run with a school-record clocking of 49.9.

Taylor Neely crossed the line seventh in the 3,200-meter run in 9:31. Teammate Matt Greve also qualified for the state meet in the 3,200-meter run for Dexter.

Andrew Herring placed first in the pole vault, clearing 14-4, and also finished sixth in the long jump with a personal-best measurement of 19-11.75. Also in the pole vault for the Dreadnaughts, Jeremy Horner tied for fifth with a mark of 12-11.

In the 3,200-meter relay, the Dexter quartet of Corey Birchmeier, Parker Latshaw, Zach Tidwell and Neely finished eighth with a season-best time of 8:27.

“We had a successful and positive day at the regional track meet,” Testa said.

The Division 1 state meet is June 4 at Rockford.