Dreadnaughts Track Team Opens New Season

The Dexter High School boys’ track and field team will have a combination of experience and youth as it embarks on the 2011 season.

“We have a great group of veteran leaders who have been and will continue to do a great job of motivating and mentoring our younger kids,” Dexter coach Dave Testa said.

Testa is beginning his fourth year as head coach for the team.

“Our expectations going into the season are to improve in every aspect of the sport on a weekly basis," he said. "Given how young we are in some event groups, there will be a learning curve early on this season, but as we get into May and the bigger meets, I think we can be a very competitive team, especially at the Division 1 regional and state level.”

Last season, the Dreadnaughts placed ninth in the state at the Division 1 meet.

“We had a really nice showing at last year’s state meet,” Testa said. “That was our first year in Division 1. We are looking to build on that experience this season.”

Testa said distances and pole vaulting would be strengths this year for Dexter.

“I expect that with time, practice and experience our sprinters, hurdlers, throwers and jumpers will be hitting their stride by May," Testa said.

Individually for the Dreadnaughts, senior All-State athlete Jeremy Horner returns to lead the squad in the pole vault. Also contributing at a high level in pole vault will be senior Andrew Herring, a state qualifier in 2010.

Junior Taylor Neely, a returning state qualifier, will pace Dexter in the distance events. Adding quality depth and experience to the Dreadnaught distance group will be Parker Latshaw and Corey Birchmeier.

In sprints and hurdles, Kyle Ricklemann and Troy Ricklemann will lead Dexter, while junior Kyle Franz will score points in the high jump and 400-meter run for the Dreadnaughts.

In the shot put and discus, David Velez returns to lead Dexter, while senior Matt Woods will also contribute points in the event.

A newcomer looking to make an impact for the Dreadnaughts this season will be freshman Noah Gary in the high jump and sprints.

“For now, we have a number of question marks floating over some event groups, but the great thing about this sport is that on any given day, someone can step up and make a big contribution that affects us positively over the course of the season,” Testa said.

The Dreadnaughts kick-off their season on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. against Ypsilanti Lincoln High School.