A male and female multi-sport student-athlete from Poplar Bluff Junior and Senior High has been selected by the Athletic Department as Missouri Good Sports under the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

Receiving the annual Awards of Excellence on Tuesday, May 13, were Ireland Gowen of the Class of 2025, who played volleyball, basketball and soccer, and classmate Brendan Durden, who played basketball and ran track; and incoming freshmen Molly Murphy, who played basketball and softball, and Kingston Wade-Kennedy, who played football, basketball and ran track.

Ireland was a SEMO Ball nominee and received All-Conference and All-District honors. Brendan was a four-year letterman in basketball and also earned All-Conference and All-District recognition. Both outgoing seniors were previously named Missouri Good Sports in Junior High, and concluded their academic careers in the top 30 of their class.

Molly achieved a 6-2 record pitching, with an 8.14 batting average, 19 runs batted in and 19 runs scored in eight games. Kingston set the Junior High track record in the 400 meter and 4 x 200 meter, and led the football team in tackles this year.

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Cutline: (From left) Ireland Gowen, Brendan Durden and Kingston Wade-Kennedy receive Missouri Good Sports awards from Athletic Director Kent Keith on Tuesday, May 13, at PBJHS for their sportsmanship. Not present for the photo was Molly Murphy.