Mules split with Sikeston, A-J to open new year

It’s a new year, but the Poplar Bluff Mules wrestling team’s determination to get better remains the same.

The Mules kicked off the new year by snagging split wins on the mat during their triangular wrestling meet against the Sikeston Bulldogs and Anna-Jonesboro (Illinois) Wildcats, where they finished 1-1. Poplar Bluff beat Anna-Jonesboro 43-36, but lost to Sikeston 45-27.

Mules coach Kelton Thompson continues to praise his young core for their improvement and was satisfied with how the team rallied together to snag a win.

“You really have to piece together a perfect match to land duel wins, but we had a great team effort throughout the contest, and I felt we did pretty good,” Thompson said. “We were not able to finish our last six matches like we needed to, but that’s the growing pains of having a young team, but they look so much better than last year. They’ve been able to win against some teams they couldn’t last season, so that’s major progress in my book.”

Thompson said the Mules still have a lot of work to do going forward, but believes if some of the young guys keep their heads up and keep working, everything will be fine.

“Overall, we’re going to take what we learned from tonight, and we’re just going to keep trying to expand and fix everything that we possibly can for this tournament,” Thompson said.

Anna-Jonesboro started the meet with a 40-36 win over Sikeston, then with little to no rest, they managed to push the Mules to their limit.

Anna-Jonesboro jumped out early against the Mules with no ending in sight. While trailing 24-11, the Mules finally caught fire as sophomore Garett Dearborn collected a win in the 138-pound weight class.

Following Dearborn’s momentum booster, the Mules would take the lead with victories from Ryan Black, Jack Ernest, Kayden Walker and senior Logan Hite, who remains undefeated.

While holding a 40-34 lead over Anna-Jonesboro, the final pin would decide the fate of the Mules. After a tough battle in the 285-pound weight class, Andre Aguilar would persevere past his opponent in the last second to secure the win for the Mules.

Aguilar said he was aware that his win would decide the final outcome, and the cheering from his teammates was all he needed to push through.

“My opponent was really good and came out very aggressive,” Aguilar said. “I was tired and gassed, but I managed to finish the job. When you’re going through a tough battle like this one, you just have to tell your mind you can do it and push through everything. Sometimes, you have to work yourself out of your comfort zone and just go out there and do what you need to win.”

Aguilar said getting the win to start the New Year means everything, and he hopes it gives his teammates the momentum to keep working hard.

Though the Mules escaped with the win over Anna-Jonesboro, fatigue would play a major factor in their matchup against Sikeston. The Bulldogs quickly pulled away for the win. All three teams went 1-1 at the meet.

The Mules will host another triangular next Tuesday as they match up against Kennett and Notre Dame.