Mules finish fourth; Coble, Ferguson win titles

Poplar Bluff senior Greg Coble is attempting to become the first Mule to win three individual all-state medals in one year when the MSHSAA Class 4 state championships start today in Jefferson City.

Seven athletes have won multiple individual medals at state in one year, including Brent Little, who did it three times from 2000-02. In 2002, Little and Maurice Moss earned four all-state medals but two came in relay events.

Coble will compete in the long and high jump events Friday and runs a leg on the 1600-meter relay, which must qualify for the final. On Saturday, he'll compete in the triple jump.

Also at state for the Mules is Zach Ferguson, who competes in both hurdle races (he has the top qualifying time in the 110s), pole vaulter Kenyan Francis, two-miler Travis Blalock and thrower Ali Frazier.

UPDATE: Coble's quest started Friday with a state title in the long jump but ended later in the day with a no-height in the high jump with an injury. He may need to scratch out of the remaining events. (Coach Lance Bell said Coble will try to go in the triple jump Saturday but the mile relay was scratched.)

Coble won the long jump in his final attempt, clearing 23-feet, 4.25-inches to beat Hillcrest sophomore Dorial Green by 2 inches.

Ferguson had the top qualifying time in the 110 hurdles and the third-best time to qualify in the 300 hurdles.

Frazier finished ninth with a throw of 36-11.75 in the shot, missing the all-state cut by 1-foot, 10-inches. (Jackson's Jill Rushin was second at 43-8.5 while Hickman's Sarah Hall won at 44-7.25.)

Travis Blalock finished ninth with a PR time in the 3200.

SATURDAY UPDATE: Coble returned for the triple jump, fighting off a leg cramp from the previous day, but he wasn't the same. The senior finished eighth to earn a second all-state medal. As he was walking back from the podium, Ferguson won the 110-hurdles to put the Mules second in the team standings, one point back of first.

Ferguson has a shot at another title in the 300 and Francis can pick up some points in the pole vault, which is about to start.

Ferguson won a second state title, falling across the finish line first in the 300. The Mules are in a three-way tie for second, one point behind the leader, but only have one more event left.

The Mules ended up tying for fourth place, the fifth time in the history of the program Poplar Bluff finished in the top four at state.