Dexter seniors aiming for state

DEXTER - The girls athletic program at Dexter is on the rise and the track program is a good example of that.

Head coach Jill Becker and assistant coach Daniel Sexton have built a solid program and two seniors are finishing up quite a career.

Natalie Hayes and Mallory Kennedy have become pillars of the Lady Bearcats track program over their four years in high school.

With Hayes and Kennedy anchoring a strong 4 x 100 relay team, Dexter has qualified for state in the relay event the last three years. In addition, Hayes was also a state qualifier with the Lady Bearcats 4 x 400 team.

Individually, Hayes also qualified for the state 400 meters. Kennedy qualified in the triple jump.

Kennedy was all-state last season for Dexter in the triple jump. Kennedy finished in sixth place with a jump over 35 feet.

Kennedy's rise in the jumping events is nothing short of spectacular. Used mainly in the relay teams early on in her track career, last season Kennedy started jumping for the first time. Amazing to think that in one year Kennedy went from a jumping novice, to one of the tops in the state in the triple jump.

"Coach Sexton taught me all I know about jumping," said Kennedy. "Coach is the first person to show me how to do any of my jumping, I had no idea how to jump before coach taught me. It took me a day or two to get down the proper techniques of the jumps."

Kennedy is the very essence of an athlete as besides track, Kennedy also competes in volleyball in the fall and basketball in winter. At 5-feet-8, Kennedy has the rare combination of size and speed it takes to compete at a high level in high school athletics.

"It comes naturally," said Kennedy. "I don't know how else to explain it, but for some reason sports just come so natural to me. I jump every day and I definitely have to work hard to get where I want to go. Sometimes I push it too hard and I have to be careful, because my knees can flare up on me. Besides that, I give 100 percent in any sport I compete in."

Kennedy explained that the triple jump is the most taxing on her knees and can be difficult to accomplish a successful jump.

"Triple jump is harder because you are throwing your full weight on to one knee," said Kennedy. "It is like a hop, skip and jump. It can be complicated to get all your steps down to complete the jump."

Looking to return for a fourth consecutive trip to state, Kennedy appears to have the confidence to accomplish such a feat.

"Don't be nervous," said Kennedy, "just go out there and do it, don't even think about it. When you start to think about it, that is when you mess up. Being at state is not that nerve-racking, I loved being up there. It is an exciting experience."

Becker believes that Kennedy can accomplish anything she sets her mind to and has been a joy to coach over the years.

"She's been a wonderful athlete and role model for all of the girls coming up," said Becker. "She will be greatly missed. Mallory usually places in the top three at every meet in her jumping events. She has been really successful in only one year of experience. If she had started earlier, she would have been jumping further than before."

Hayes has turned into one of the fastest girls in the area in her four year career at Dexter. Hayes garnered 12th place in the 100 meters and anchored the Lady Bearcats 4 x 100 relay team to a 10th place finish at state last season.

Hayes contributes her success in track to hard work and dedication.

"Been running track since I was 5 years old," said Hayes. "I haven't missed one year since then, my parents coached me at first."

A normal training season for Hayes involves what is known as "ladders". Hayes runs distances of 500, 400, 300, 200 and 100 meters. Once that is completed, Hayes stated that she will do the reverse and run 100 meters and on up until 500 meters.

Hayes mentioned that running bleachers, hills and a good weight lifting program is the key to her success as well.

"Weightlifting helps build my legs and definitely strengthens my legs," said Hayes. "Makes the legs last longer, more endurance. To improve your times in the sprints, have to get out there and just run. You have to want it more and just work harder. Sprinting uses the back of your hamstrings and your butt."

Unlike Kennedy, Hayes brings with her some uneasiness to the beginning of her races.

"I'm nervous on the starting block," said Hayes. "I don't won't to get beat, thinking about my time, and my momma. I get real nervous. I only false started once in a district meet in a final. Unfortunately it was my fastest time."

If some self doubt enters the mind of Hayes, her results prove that once the gun is fired, Hayes is focused and intent on winning. Once the race has concluded, the latter is usually the result.

Hayes has inner drive to return for a fourth trip to state and has a simple credo that others should take note of.

"Dedication, hard work, don't complain when it is cold or hot," said Hayes. "Only complain if injured."

Becker stated that Hayes is invaluable to the Lady Bearcats track program and is always improving as an athlete.

"Natalie is also a great role model, leader of the team," said Becker. "Girls look up to Mallory and Natalie. She (Hayes) scores points every meet for us. Just been a very solid athlete in the program. All-around good athlete. She has just started this year long jumping for us."

Hayes and Kennedy both look for a return trip to state and the outlook is good according to Becker.

"If they continue to work as hard and Mallory continues to improve in her jumps," said Becker, "both have an excellent opportunity to make a good showing at state."