Graham wins state title for Mules in high jump

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Poplar Bluff track and field standout sets a new record at the 2023 MSHSAA Class 5 State Championships.

Junior Darius Graham felt no pressure attending the state meet for the first time as he collected gold on the first day in the boys’ high jump. He set a new state record by clearing 6-10 1/4 to capture the title.

Boys head coach Jeff Mannon said Graham finally had a chance to jump on fresh legs today. Usually, he’s on the 4x100 and the triple jump, so he’s legs usually get a good workout before he gets to the high jump, but today everything lined up perfectly.

“Seeing Darius win is pretty impressive, considering this was his first time,” Mannon said. “He was a nervous wreck when we got up here, so to see him harness that energy and perform was awesome. It’s nice to see his hard work pay off.”

Mannon said the meet is going well for the Mules, with players hitting their PRs and performing well. A’tari Amos placed 7th all-state in the long jump with a distance of 6.69, Jeridon Young finished 11th in the shot put with a distance of 49’1, Kolyn McBride placed 13th in the 200-meter dash and Isaiah Nevel placed 8th in the high jump clearing 6-3 ½.

Graham will be back in action Saturday as he attempts to capture gold in the triple jump, and Spencer Nunn will compete in the pole vault.

Overall, Mannon is pleased with how the morning started off for the Mules and is excited to see what they can do tomorrow.

Lady Mules

In the prelims for the girls’ 100-meter dash, freshman Samantha Dowd fell shy of qualifying for the state finals with a time of 12.20 sec. She finished 4th in her heat. In the 4x200-meter relay, Koryenna Williams, Samantha Dowd, Caitlin Paumen and McKenzie Cassie placed 10th.

The Lady Mules will still have a chance to bring home the gold Saturday as McKenzie Cassie will compete in the long jump, Adrianne Casey and Kennedy Zgaynor will compete in Javelin and Makyra Mead will take her challenge with the shot put.

Dexter

The Dexter Bearcats track & field team competed in the MSHSAA Class 3 State Championships on Friday in Jefferson City with several athletes posting solid finishes.

Junior Abbie Lloyd finished sixth in the pole vault as she finished with a height of 3.14 meters. Freshman Karis Kennedy competed in one of her two events on Friday as she finished 15th in the triple jump. She competes in the long jump Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Anistin Kyle finished eighth in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:59.46.

R.J. Farmer ran a 41.44 in the second-heat of the 300-meter hurdles as he finished fifth in his heat and eighth overall to advance to today’s final.

Senior Andrew Saylors finished 12th in the javelin with a distance of 42.77 meters. Freshman Nia Stromas finished 15th in the 300-meter hurdles while Allison Turnbo finished 16th in the prelims of the 100-meter hurdles.

In its relays, Dexter finished 10th in the boys preliminariess of the 4x200-meter relay with a time of 1:32.05. The final of the 4x400-meter relay concluded after press time on Friday while the 4x800-meter relay is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday.