The Mules Booster Club has named Alexis Rowland and Gavyn Hays of Poplar Bluff High School the January Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Gavyn, a senior wrestler, had a 32-1 record with 22 pins, at the time of this award. He was named the SEMO Conference champion; placed first at St. Genevieve and the Bluff Duals; went undefeated at the Collierville and Hillsboro Duals; placed second at Bentonville West; and has two wins over top 10 ranked opponents. Ranked No. 5 in the Class 4 220-pound weight class by rankwrestlers.com, Gavyn is also an All-Conference running back for Mules Football.

“Gavyn was recognized as a team captain by his coaches and peers. He has developed into one of the top wrestlers in the state over the three years he has been wrestling,” said Kelton Thompson, his coach. “Gavyn has a positive attitude and brings that to the team.”

Alexis, a junior wrestler, had a 23-5 record with 19 pins, at the time of this recognition. She placed first in the Sikeston and Bentonville West tournaments, second in the North County Tournament and SEMO Conference, and landed third at the Rolla and District tournaments. In the classroom, she maintains a 10.9 grade point average, her coach noted.

“Alexis has had tremendous improvement on the mat,” Thompson said. “She is a great leader for all wrestlers in our program, and all of our wrestlers have a high amount of respect for her work ethic and commitment. She is always willing to help, and goes above and beyond daily to meet her wrestling/academic goals and help her teammates.”

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Cutline: Booster Club Vice President Brian Taylor presents Alexis Rowland and Gavyn Hays the Athlete of the Month awards on Tuesday, Feb. 9.