Dexter Track Teams Hit Their Stride in Mason

Dexter's track and field squads picked up the pace when they traveled to Mason last week to compete in an invitational meet.

“It was nice to finally have sunny skies and no wind. Combine that with a great atmosphere and some great competition, and the kids really responded well," Dexter coach Dave Testa said.

In the boys’ meet, the Dreadnaughts finished fourth overall. Eight teams participated in the meet on April 29.

In field events, Jeremy Horner placed first in the pole vault, clearing 14 feet, 6 inches, while Andrew Herring was second with a mark of 14-0 for Dexter. Herring also was second in the long jump with a measurement of 19-4.

Noah Hiser finished second in the 200 meters in 23.98, second in the 400-meter run in a regional-qualifying time of 51.62 and fourth in the high jump with a height of 5-10 for Dexter.

Kyle Rickelmann crossed the line eighth in the 300-meter hurdles in 45.85, while Taylor Neely was second in the 1,600-meter run in 4:31 and Corey Birchmeier finished fifth at 4:40.

In the 3,200-meter run, Matt Greve was fifth in a regional-qualifying 9:51, while Parker Latshaw was sixth in a regional-qualifying 9:57.

In the 3,200-meter relay, the group of Zach Tidwell, Birchmeier, Latshaw and Neely finished fifth with a clocking of 8:35. Andy Coger, Birchmeier, Horner and Hiser placed seventh in the 1,600-meter relay at 3:41. In the 800-meter relay, Aaron Paton, Noah Gary, Coger and Rickelmann ended up sixth at 1:40.2.

“We had some great performances, which is a good sign as we head into May,” Testa said.

In the girls’ meet, the Dreadnaughts finished fifth out of eight squads.

In field events, Caitlin Greeley placed eighth in the discus with a toss of 73-5. Nyki Caldwell was first in the high jump with a regional-qualifying mark of 5-8, while Michelle Klein was fifth with a 4-8 height.

In the pole vault, Micaela Conter finished first, clearing 11-6, while Claire Tewksbury was second, recording an 11-0, and Klein was fifth with a 9-6.

Julie Cohen was sixth in the 100 meters in 14.05, and she was also sixth in the 400-meter run with a time of 1:06.08.

In the 200 meters, Megan Cansfield was third in 28.98, while Vanessa Schade was sixth in 29.98. Mara Bottomley placed eighth in the 800-meter run in 2:32.

Caci Dishman led the Dreads in the 1,600-meter run, finishing fifth in 5:35.1, while Emily Pap was sixth. In the 3,200-meter run, Tori Waidley was sixth in a regional-qualifying 12:00, while Elise Dombkowski was seventh in a regional-qualifying 12:03.

In the 3,200-meter relay, Bottomley, Dombkowski, Pap and Dishman placed sixth in 10:28. Caldwell, Bottomley, Cohen and Cansfield also finished sixth in the 1,600-meter relay in a season-best clocking of 4:26. In the 800-meter relay, Jessica Hopkins, Brienna Hayter, Andrea Scheffler and Caldwell ended up fourth with a season-best time of 1:55.28. Schade, Hopkins, Cansfield and Hayter placed sixth in the 400-meter relay in 56.78 for the Dreadnaughts.

“We had some great performances from our sprinters, which really helped out and gave a lift to the rest of the team,” Testa said.

Dexter next travels to Saline on Friday to compete in the Golden Triangle Invitational.