Sports
Dexter Girls Track Team Poised for Strong Season
The Dreadnaughts will return several key seniors to this year's roster.
The Dexter High School girls track and field team is hoping to improve upon its eighth-place finish at last year’s Division 1 state meet. The Dreadnaughts return several key veterans and plenty of talent this season and look again to be one of the state’s top squads entering the 2011 campaign.
“Once again we are looking to be very competitive in all of our dual meets and finish strong at the Southeastern Conference and regional meets," Dexter coach Dave Testa said. “We will be counting on our veterans to not only lead the way in meets, but also model hard work and leadership to the younger kids on the team. We are very fortunate to have a lot of veteran experience on this team.”
Returning to lead the Dreadnaughts this season is senior Nyki Caldwell, the defending state champion in the high jump. Caldwell is one of Michigan’s top track and field performers.
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Dexter also has one of the state’s best pole vault groups. Returning to pace the Dreadnaughts in this event include All-Stater Micaela Conter and state qualifiers Claire Tewksbury and Michelle Klein.
In the distance events, Dexter returns state qualifier Caci Dishman.
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“Our distance group has the potential to make a lot of noise later in the season,” Testa said.
In hurdles, seniors Mollie Liskiewicz and Natalie Collins, along with sophomore Megan Cansfield, return to lead the Dreadnaughts.
In the 400-meter run, senior Julie Cohen and Cansfield look to score points for Dexter, while Vanessa Schade will be strong in the long jump for the Dreads.
In throws, Richelle Coffey will lead Dexter in the discus, while junior Stephanie Vontom is expected to excel in the shot put. Testa is excited about both girls’ talent heading into this season.
“Richelle is looking to build on last year’s success in the discus, while Stephanie should score regularly in the shot put,” he said.
Besides their returning veterans, the Dreadnaughts also welcome a strong group of talented newcomers to this season’s squad.
“We have a great crew of freshmen this year including Kamie Powell in the pole vault, Elise Dombkowski in distance, Brienna Hayter in the hurdles and Andrea Scheffler and Carolin Schade in the sprints,” Testa said.
The girls open their season Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at home against Ypsilanti Lincoln High School.
