On Saturday, Dexter competed in the MHSAA Region 4 Championships at host school Grand Ledge. Easily one of the best weather meets of the season, Dexter qualified 2 relay teams, 8 other individual events for the State Championships on June 1 and along the way, set a new school record in the process. Brighton was the Regional Champion for both the 3 boys and girls teams, while Dexter Boys tied for 6th, and the Girls 7th in the 15 team field.
The day began with field events, led off by the Girls Pole Vault. Dexters’ Raiden Kipfmiller finished in 2nd with a jump of 11’ 9”, followed by teammate Debbie McCoy in 3r going 11’ 3”. Both vaulters hit the State Qualifying mark, and will be heading back to the championships. Lady Dread throwers had a big day of their own, placing highly in both the Shot Put, and Discus. Lily Burns will be making a trip to the State Championships with her 2nd place finish and throw of 37’ 0.5” throwing a little over a foot from her previous best. Kera Root, finishing in 4th with a throw of 35’ 1” was almost 2 feet over her career best. The duo also placed in the Discus where Burns also had a career day throwing 13 feet more than her previous best to take 5th at 108’ 5”, and Root in 7th with her throw of 104’ 10”.
The track proved to be equally as hot as the throws. Dexters’ 4×800 relay team blasted their way to not only shattering a 20 year old school record but qualified the team for the State Championships. Kodie Snyder, Lillian Mitchell, Kate Varitek, and Annabel O’Haver powered their way around the track to finish the relay with a time of 9:38.76. Their time shaved 3.5 seconds off the previous record of 9:42.09 set in 2004. The team finished the race in 2nd place and will be heading off to race at the State Championships. 3 of the 4 placed in individual races with Mitchell running a personal best in the 800m run taking a 5th place at 2:20.85, Varitek was a double placer as her time of 5:26.55 in the 1600m was fast enough for 6th and a 11:47.98 in the 3200 got her the 8th spot. Kodie Snyder placed as well in the 1600, 2 spots down from Varitek going 8th with a 5:36.30.
In the Boys Pole Vault Clark Sheldon, who took 5th last year at the State Championships was Regional Champion, vaulting 14’ 3” and will be going back to Grand Rapids, along with teammate Benjamin Sackman who was 4th, going 13’ 3” and also making the Championship roster. Rounding out Dexter field event placers, big man Cameron Clark finished the day with a 46’ 4” PR in the Shot Put for a 5th place finish.
The boys version of the 4x800m relay is also heading to the State Championships along with the Girls. The team of Brandon Anderson, Julian Linebaugh, Vaughn Meyer, and Caleb Snyder ran the 4th fastest time of 8:03.14, and qualified on time. Anderson was also the most dominant 800m runner in the Region, as his time of 1:55.03 earned him a return trip to the State Championships, and this year’s Regional Champion.
In addition to the relay and 800m, Anderson also took the Bronze in the 1600m. His time of 4:19.37 qualified and was his career best, giving him the opportunity to compete in 3 events at States. Vaughn Meyer, earned himself a spot in the 1600m State Championships as well, his time of 4:22.54 was also his fastest career time, and will be running alongside Anderson in Grand Rapids.
Caleb Snyder rounded out the distance runners individual placers. Running his fastest time to date, finished in 5th in the 3200m, crossing the finish line with a 9;33.37.
Dexter will next compete at home hosting the Larry Steeb Meet of Champions on Tuesday May 28.
