Graham repeats as state champion in high jump

JEFFERSON CITY — Poplar Bluff senior Darius Graham brings home gold for the second straight year.

The Poplar Bluff Mules and Lady Mules track and field team competed on the big stage at the MSHSAA Class 5 Track and Field Championships on Friday and Saturday at Adkins Stadium on the campus of Jefferson City High School.

They battled against some of the best athletes in the state, where they brought home some hardware and broke a few records along the way.

Mules track and field coach Jeff Mannon was blown away by the atmosphere inside Adkins Stadium with the fans and elite athletes. Being able to watch his team reach their personal bests and be provided a glimpse of what state looks like to a few underclassmen was a big moment for Mannon.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team’s performance at the Class 5 state cthampionships, Mannon said. “The kids set a bunch of personal bests and had a blast doing it. The underclassmen that came along got to experience how big a stage the state meet is. It’s hard to replicate the experience throughout the season since every official in the state is there running events. The sheer magnitude of the crowd cheering athletes on is something you don’t get week in and week out, so I know it was a great feeling for everyone.”

To no one’s surprise, Graham successfully defended his gold medal in the boys high jump by finishing first while breaking a new Class 5 state record and school record by 7 feet, 1 inch. The record has been held by Chris Kilgore since 2009. Graham also competed in the boys long and triple jump at this year’s state meet.

Graham, who has signed to run track and play football at Missouri S & T, finished second in the long jump competition and broke a new school record with a long jump of 24 feet, 3 1/2 inches, which Brent Little previously held in 2002. Graham was also named all-state for the Mules, along with fellow high jumper who finished tied for fifth, Isaiah Nevel.

“Darius Graham was outstanding, winning the high jump for the second year in a row and taking second place in the long jump,” Mannon said. “Both being new school records and the high jump beating his class record from last year is just amazing. He also finished 12th in the triple jump.

“Darius is a fierce competitor and a great young man. Darius shared with us on the way back home that he made a list of 10 goals he wanted to break. Clearing 2.16 (meters) marked off his final goal of being ranked top 3 in the country. He’s been a pleasure to coach for the last four years, and I can’t wait to see what he does in football and track at the next level.”

Isaiah Nevel finished fifth in the high jump at 6 feet, 4 inches. Mannon said Nevel has been a great teammate and a big contributor to the team’s success.

“He and Darius have been battling and pushing each other for three straight years,” Mannon said. The coach added it’s been awesome to have those two be a part of the program, and Mannon wishes them both the best of luck in college.

Spencer Nunn finished 12th in the pole vault at 4.12 meters and ran in the 4x200-meter relay team.

“He’s an awesome kid that we’re looking forward to having back next year,” Mannon said. “He’s willing to do anything for the team. I think he’s competed in all but four events this year at different times.”

Alexandar Larkins finished 16th in the javelin as a sophomore. Mannon said the improvement Larkins had in the last four weeks has been incredible, as Larkins went from being on the junior varsity squad at conference to varsity district champ and being top 16 in the state. Mannon is excited to see what the future holds for him.

Patrick Slack finished 16th in the 110 as a sophomore.

The 4x200-meter relay of Nunn, Kolyn McBride, Colt Clifford, and Xzavir Jones, with Dunham as an alternate, ran great and finished 15th.

“They ran a solid race,” Mannon said. “The relays were some of the fastest we’ve seen at state the last few years. The heat they ran in had a team break the overall meet record, with three of those members coming back next year, so we’re expecting to hit the ground running next season. Overall, we’re pleased with the way these young men represented Poplar Bluff. I’m hoping we can carry this success into the offseason and come back stronger next year.”

On the girls side, Kennedy Zgaynor wrapped up her high school career with an 11th-place finish in the javelin, while Trynitee Watkins placed 13th in the 100-meter hurdles and Koryenna Williams finished 15th in the 100-meter dash.