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Mules thrive in Semo Conference Tournament
With the district tournament right around the corner, the Poplar Bluff Mules track and field team has pushed their limits all season and continued with a solid showing at this year’s SEMO conference tournament.
Whatever track and field competition the Mules and Lady Mules have attended this season, they’ve always managed to bring home some hardware.
The 2024 Semo Conference Track and Field Tournament wouldn’t be any different as the Mules placed first in the Semo North Division and the overall winners in the Semo Conference, while the Lady Mules snagged third in the North and overall on Saturday in Cape Girardeau.
Earlier this season, Mules coach Jeff Mannon said their main goal was getting more players to state, and with their constant wins throughout the season, one would agree the Mules are heading in the right direction.
“I’m proud of this group,” Mannon said. “Everyone came in with the same energy to give us enough team points to win the North division. It was pretty much a team effort, and everything worked out for us. As we get closer to districts, our plan is to go out and compete. The kids have taken their training seriously, and they’re starting to peak at the right time. All we can do is compete and see where the chips fall.”
Senior and reigning MSHSAA Class 5 state high jump champion Darius Graham was the standout for the Mules. He was the winner of the triple and high jump and was crowned the MVP Field Event Athlete.
“Darius getting the field event MVP back-to-back is pretty impressive,” Mannon said. “He’s constantly striving to outdo what he did the first time, which is a great attitude to have. Spencer Nunn had a really good day competing with some of the best in our conference, and I believe he held his own like the rest of them. We have one more tune-up with Hillsborough, then we will turn our attention to the district tournament.”
The Lady Mules had quite a time at the Semo tournament, with one of the biggest being last year’s state medalist Kennedy Zgaynor breaking the school record in the javelin with a distance of 41.12m.
Head coach Beth Lewis said the Lady Mules had a great showing at the Semo Conference, and she is proud of how they adjusted to last-minute changes.
“I thought the girls did amazing,” Lewis said. “We had a few spots to fill and we moved pieces around and the girls rose to the occasion. It's hard to have changes in the schedule and rain delays like we did. I am proud of the girls for stepping up and doing what they could in the moment.”
Trynitee Watkins had a breakout day in the High Jump jumping 5-1 and the girls 4x8 with Ava Stotts, Kate Scott, Marley Spain and Wren Cotrell won the overall SEMO division.
Ava Stotts was second over all in the 800 and ran a tough race. The 4x4 of Stotts, Scott, Cotrell, and Kelsey Kramer closed up the meet with a well earned second place overall.
All Conference Honors in the NORTH Conference:
Mules:
4x8: Hicks, Spain, Sisk, Dunham
110h: Spencer Nunn, Logan Slack
4x2: Jones, McBride, Clifford, Durden
4x1: Jones, McBride, Clifford, Graham
400: Justin Clark
300h: Spencer Nunn, Logan Slack
800: Lane Dunham
200: Kolyn McBride
4x4: Spencer, Durden, Dunham, West
Pole Vault: Spencer Nunn
Long Jump: Darius Graham, Isaiah Nevel
Triple Jump: Darius Graham-CHAMP, Isaiah Nevel
High Jump: Darius Graham-CHAMP, Isaiah Nevel
Javelin: Ray Duncan
Shot: Aiden Pratt
Disc: Aiden Pratt- CHAMP
Lady Mules:
4x800: CHAMPS: Stotts, Scott, Spain, Cotrell
100H: Trynitee Watkins - CHAMP
100: Kory Williams
800: Ava Stotts
200: Kory Williams- CHAMP, Trynitee Watkins
300H: Lyric Ross
4x4: Scott, Stotts, Cotrell. Kramer
Pole vault: Lilly Wilson
High Jump: Trynitee Watkins- CHAMP
Javelin: Kennedy Zgaynor- Champ, Addison Valenzuela