Jerry Jarrell photo Dexter's Michael Henley (left) stacks Sikeston's Nick DeLaRosa for a pin during the season opener for the 'Cats Thursday at home. Henley had one of four Dexter pins as the Bearcats defeated Sikeston, 54-23.

The Dexter Bearcats opened the wrestling season with a 54-23 win over the Sikeston Bulldogs Thursday at home.

All the matches wrestled were decided by fall for both Dexter and Sikeston. The Bearcats got pin decisions from Michael Henley (119 lb.), Joey Moore (130 lb.), Jake McGuire (135 lb.) and Jordan Averett (160 lb.).

"This was a big win for to get this season started," Dexter coach Rick Schwab said. "Sikeston has some very good wrestlers, and some young ones coming up.

Jerry Jarrell photo Dexter's Brittney Waldner grimaces during her match against Sikeston's Jacob Murphy during action Thursday at Dexter. The Bearcats opened the season with a win over the visiting Bulldogs.

"The matches that were wrestled were very exciting and we are looking to build on it (the win)," he continued. " We definitely have things to work on, but it was a good place to start. Our team is young and enthusiastic this year. I'm excited to get this season underway. We are continuing to build our way up."

The night's action started with some middle school matches, and many of those were the first for most of the Dexter wrestlers, as the 'Cats look to build the wrestling program.

"The middle school wrestlers took some lumps tonight (Thursday)," Schwab added. "Some of our wrestlers saw their first match, and it was a bit overwhelming for them.

"I'm proud of them though," he pointed out. "They fought hard and put in their time in the practice room. As long as they continue to work hard they will overcome their inexperience and make great contributions to our high school program."

The Bearcats will next be in action Monday when they will travel to New Madrid County for a duel match with the Eagles. The middle school wrestlers will take part in a tournament at Farmington Saturday, while the freshman team members will compete at North County.

NOTE: For a complete list of the results from the match, see page 9 of The Daily Statesman under the Scoreboard.