5 Super Athletes With Ties To Dexter

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Dexter area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Abby Tamer (Field Hockey)

Abby Tamer made history as the first Dexter High School alum to compete in the Olympics, representing the U.S. in field hockey at the Paris 2024 Games. A standout at the University of Michigan, Tamer has built an impressive international career, earning bronze medals at the 2022 Uniphar 5-Nations Tournament and the 2021 Junior Pan American Championship. Her leadership extends beyond the field, having received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2017.

2. Eva Gaetino (Soccer)

Dexter native Eva Gaetino has quickly made a name for herself on the international soccer stage. After an impressive collegiate career at Notre Dame, where she was a two-time ACC Defender of the Year and First Team All-American, Gaetino signed with Paris Saint-Germain. Her defensive prowess earned her a call-up to the U.S. Women's National Team in 2024, where she competed in the SheBelieves Cup. Before turning pro, she dominated youth soccer with the Michigan Hawks, winning a national championship and earning Midwest Player of the Year honors.

3. Cole Cabana (Football)

Football player Cole Cabana made waves as a record-setting running back at Dexter High School. With 5,781 all-purpose yards and 79 touchdowns in his high school career, he helped lead Dexter to its first-ever district championship and a state semifinal appearance. After a redshirt freshman season at Michigan, Cabana signed with Western Michigan to continue his football journey.

4. Jennie Ritter (Softball)

Jennie Ritter was a dominant force in college softball, leading the University of Michigan to its first NCAA championship in 2005. A two-time NFCA First-Team All-American and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, she still holds numerous program records, including career strikeouts and single-season wins. After retiring from professional play, she transitioned into broadcasting, becoming a respected softball analyst for the Big Ten Network.

5. Greg Meyer (Marathon Running)

Greg Meyer is best known for being the last American man to win the Boston Marathon, claiming victory in 1983 with a time of 2:09:00. A University of Michigan alumnus, he also set U.S. road racing records in the 10K and 15K. Despite just missing out on the Olympic competition due to the 1980 U.S. boycott, Meyer remained a major force in distance running. After retiring, he has remained involved in the local running community, mentoring high school athletes from Dexter and the surrounding areas.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.