PB wrestling makes history at SEMO Conference

The Poplar Bluff High School Mules wrestling team made history at the 2024 SEMO Conference Wrestling Tournament.

The Mules went up against 14 other teams over the weekend in Sikeston, taking on some tough competition in the surrounding areas. Despite not placing high as a team, three of the Mules’ top wrestlers left their mark on the mat.

Poplar Bluff junior Zoë Freeman won the 190lb SEMO conference female championship, which makes her the first 3x female conference champion. She also received the SEMO conference tournament’s Most Outstanding Female Wrestler award for the second year in a row.

While Freeman stood tall for the Lady Mules, senior Logan Hite flourished for the boys by capturing gold and picking up his 133 career win. Hite won the 190lb SEMO conference championship to become the first-ever male in Poplar Bluff’s 51-year wrestling history to win three conference championships.

Fellow senior Jack Ernest placed sixth in a very tough 165lb weight class. Freeman, Hite and Ernest all earned All-Confernce after their stellar performance on the mat.

Mules’ head wrestling coach Kelton Thompson said he was proud of his team’s individual performances from the more experienced wrestlers, but he noted the errors made by his young core and hoped they could find their stride.

“I was very happy to see Logan avenge his only loss of the season and become a 3x conference champion,” Thompson said. “Being able to do that is an extremely difficult accomplishment, and it hasn’t been done in the years prior in the program, so that says a lot about the type of competitor he is.

“Zoë has continued to dominate everywhere we go and is now closing in on her 100th career win. Having her named the most outstanding semo conference tournament female wrestler in back-to-back years is very impressive. I’m proud of Jack as well. He competed in a tough 165 Ib weight class but still held his own and received All-Conference honors.”

Thompson felt his young guys came out flat on Friday night. He said they made some positional errors that cost them some matches that he feels they should’ve won. However, he said competing in the tournament allowed the Mules to get some good data points and know where the team needs to improve to finish strong down the stretch.

The next matchup on the Mules’ schedule will be on Wednesday in a triangle meet as they travel to take on Cape Central and Festus High School. The match is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.