Mules track teams see growth ahead of beginning of season

The Poplar Bluff Mules and Lady Mules track and field season is right around the corner, and both coaches are excited about the program’s growth.

“I’m pretty excited,” said Poplar Bluff boys track coach Jeffery Mannon about the upcoming season. “We got some returning kids, and we got some new faces. I’ve been hitting the hallways real hard trying to get kids, and I think I did well because our numbers are up.”

Mannon said the team is up to about 50 kids, and everyone’s been working hard for the season. Returning for the Mules are A’tari Amos, Spencer Nunn, Kolyn McBride, Darius Graham, Makel McFarland and Payton Rogers.

“These guys are going to be key for us this season,” Mannon said. “The experience will help the new guys see the proper way to approach practice, and they should be great leading us in our meets.”

Besides the cool temps, Mannon said the team’s approach towards practice has been good. The team is close, they’ve been working hard, and he feels lucky to have a great group of kids. Mannon’s mission is for the team to use every track meet as a learning opportunity this season.

“I tell the kids that our main goal is to just to get better each time, we must look to do our personal best each meet,” he said. “We don’t set to go for gold every meet, we set targets and get a little better every time, and by playoff time, we’re ready for anything.”

Lady Mules

Poplar Bluff girls track coach Beth Lewis said she is excited about this season as this is the largest girls roster she’s seen since arriving in 2006.

It’s so exciting to see a little growth in the program and see kids interested in track,” Lewis said. “We’re going in almost like a brand new team and trying to find spots for everyone. It’s exciting, but we still have a long way to go before we find that right combination on the lineup.”

Lewis said that practice has been going smoothly as the coaches get aquated with the new track team members, but ultimately she said that everyone seems in good spirits and excited to start.

“A lot of first-year track athletes have been willing to learn and willing to work hard because they’re all trying to get a spot on the competition lineup, so it’s been good attitudes and good spirits,” she said.

Makyra Mead, a state qualifier in the shot put, Rachel Hammond, Adrianne Casey and Sophia Leach are returning for the Lady Mules. Key sprinters and jumpers for the Lady Mules will be Kelsey Kramer and Mckinzie Kendle.

The main goal for any team coming into a new year is to win at districts and state, but Lewis would like continued track and field growth. She hopes her players will encourage others to come out and understand that it can also help them in other sports.

“More than anything, I want to see the athletes love the sport as much as coaches do and enjoy it,” Lewis said. “We have a lot of girls that are multi-sport athletes. They’re swimming or playing basketball, and I believe track and field can help them get better at everything.”

“I want them to enjoy being out here but also be competitive. I want them to learn, build friendships, and make this their second family.”

The first track meet for the Mules and Lady Mules will be Friday at Park Hills, weather permitting.