The Dexter track and field team lines up with a rich tradition of success behind them and plenty of goals and accomplishments still waiting around the next turn.
Last year the Dreadnaughts fielded a team of 113 athletes (58 boys and 55 girls) and this year’s roster is at 149 athletes – and still growing.
The 36 plus athletes the program has gained this year compared to last year alone is almost as big a jump as just about any other team in Dexter sports. The word is out that track and field is not only successful but a fun and worthwhile experience.
“Overall both sides have exciting new talent entering the team with a total of 50 freshmen as compared to only 22 seniors,” says Coach Alex Heidtke. “Both sides are loaded with talent and potential and I’m very excited to see where that takes us.”
Back from last year’s roster for the Dreadnaughts is senior Oliver Bishop, the reigning SEC pole vault champion. He also attended the State and National Meet for pole vault.
Junior Henry Sheldon, who also competed at the State and National Meet for pole vault, is also back in the fold. Sheldon and Bishop often traded overall meet champions last year depending on the meet. Sheldon finished with the higher personal record on the season.
Sophomore Wilson Kasischke, team leader in 110 and 300 hurdles and also projects as the team leader in the 100 and 200; junior Nathan Larson, the team leader in the mile and two mile; and senior Cam O’Day, who will compete in the long jump and hurdles, also return to the Dexter track.
Dexter’s distance team is comprised of almost all of the runners who took third at the State Meet in the fall.
“We have a lot of athletes and tons of incredible talent,” says Heidtke. “It remains to be seen who can do what, but the potential is incredibly high.”
Freshman Cole Sheldon, the current Middle School Track & Field State record holder for pole vault, will make the Dreads that much stronger in pole vault.
Owen Huard has joined the track team this season after helping lead the cross country team to a third-place finish at States.
Dexter’s first SEC meet is April 9 at home against Ypsilanti. The meet begins at 5 p.m.
