The Mules Booster Club has named Kennedy Zgaynor and Darius Graham of Poplar Bluff High School the May Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Incoming senior Darius, a track and field high jumper, won the recent MSHSAA Class 5 State Championship, clearing 2.09 meters to set the high jump record. He was also a state qualifier in the triple jump, finishing 12th. Darius owns seven first-place finishes in high jump and four first-place finishes in the triple jump, with a personal best of 13.8 meters. In addition, he was a member of the sectional qualifying 4x100 meter relay.
Darius is a "great leader" with an "excellent worth ethic," commented Jeff Mannon, his coach.
Incoming senior Kennedy, a track and field javelin thrower, was named All Conference, All District and All State. She was the previous javelin record holder for PBHS, and qualified for sectionals.
“Kennedy is a first-year track athlete. She has learned the javelin extremely quickly and well at that,” said Beth Lewis, her coach. “She’s willing to put in the time and effort that is needed to make one a great athlete. It’s amazing that a young athlete like her can pick up an event and in a two and a half-month timeframe have a podium finish on the state stage. We are looking forward to seeing what she can do next season!”
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Cutline: Kennedy Zgaynor and Darius Graham are presented the AOM awards by Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, on Tuesday, June 6, at Mules Stadium.