Menu
Mules track locked in for state tournament
The Poplar Bluff Mules track and field squad has proven that they are the best team in their conference and district, and they will get the chance to showcase their skills on the grand stage.
The Mules are heading off to Jefferson City to compete in the 2024 MSHSAA Class 5 Track and Field State Championship on Friday and Saturday at Adkins Stadium at Jefferson City High School.
For most of the track and field season, the Mules have been on top of their game by winning multiple meets. With their chance to place at state, head coach Jeff Mannon is ready to watch his team compete against some of the best athletes in the state.
“I’m just really eager to see what these guys can do,” Mannon said. “The training they’ve done all year has led them to this moment. I’m just excited to see what they got. These kids get a chance to go out and perform on the big stage and compete against everybody.”
The Mules were able to claim gold last season with the few they sent, but now with more attending this year, the Mules have more opportunities to claim gold.
Representing the Mules in the field events at state is senior Darius Graham, who will look to defend his title in the boy's high jump while aiming to get more. Graham will also participate in the triple and long jump competitions. Along with Graham in the high jump will be Isaiah Nevel, who’s looking to finish at the top also.
Sophomore Alex Larkins will compete in the javelin competition, while junior Spencer Nunn will participate in the pole vault. In the track competition, the Mules will have Patrick Slack in the 110m hurdles and Brendan Durden, Kolyn McBride, Colt Clifford and Xzavir Jones will battle in the 4x200 relay.
Along with many others on the Mules squad, McBride is a returner who’s looking to make the best out of his final season with Poplar Bluff.
“We’ve had some pretty good numbers this year, and I believe our chances of going faster are pretty good,” McBride said. “I’m expecting everyone to be fast, so we can’t just walk in and fly through it. This is my last race, so I’m just planning to go out and give it everything I got.”
McBride said his goal for this year's state tournament is to stay relaxed. He said last year, he had issues with becoming super tense and nervous before the meet.
“Whenever I run relaxed, I to 10.9 this year, which was a first for me, and then I almost went under 22 again, but towards the end of the year, I started running a little too tense,” he said. “So, I just want to come in relaxed. We’re competing against the best runners in the state, and we must stay and just do our thing.”
The Mules saw a lot of success this season, and Mannon said it was due to the good numbers they had all year. He said they’re pretty fortunate to have some team leaders who just kept everybody and everything going. Plus, the kids are super supportive of each other. Mannon said he doesn't have many exceptions for the Mules, he wants them to enjoy the moment and do their best.
“They all celebrate each other's PRs, and that's what we preach all the time,” Mannon said. “The gameplan has been just to get a little better each meet, and by the time they get here, hopefully, they're as fast as they can be to perform at the top of the game. As for expectations, I hate to set those on the kids. I just want to see them go out and perform because I'd like I tell them they did their best, and that is all I can ask for.”