The Mules Booster Club has named Hunter Pierce and Jaden Deaton of Poplar Bluff High School the November Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Jaden, a senior cross country runner, was named All-Conference all four years of his high school career, most recently winning the championship. He was also district champion in 2019 and 2020, and finished 22^nd in the MSHSSA All-State, Class 4 championship in 2019, and placed 14^th in the All-State, Class 5 tournament in 2020. He holds the Cape Central Invitational course record with a time of 15:53. In the classroom, he maintains a 10.971 grade point average.

“Jaden is a rare find. His dedication to the sport is like no other,” said Beth Lewis, his coach. “It has been a pleasure to work with him the past four years and watch him develop into the athlete he is today.”

Hunter, a senior cheerleader, has lettered for the past three years, and is expected to do so again this year. As a freshman, she received the most hardworking award through cheer, her sophomore year – most improved, and during her junior year she had the ‘best jumps,’ plus was named All-American. She helped lead her squad to a first place regional championship title in ninth grade, and first place at the UCA Bootheel Classic in 10^th, landing a bid to nationals, where the team advanced to sectionals. In the classroom, she has maintained a 10.2 GPA, lettering academically during her sophomore year.

“Hunter embodies all the qualities of a great cheerleader. She has the best heart and always wants what is best for her team,” said Kim Smith, cheer coach. “Hunter is such an amazing role model and we are so excited to see what her future holds!”

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Cutline: Presenting the AOM awards to Hunter Pierce and Jaden Deaton on Thursday, Dec. 10, is Booster Club vice president Brian Taylor.