Justin Verner, a junior at Columbus High School, defended his Class 6A state powerlifting title Saturday in Jackson, winning the 242-pound division at Mississippi Coliseum.
Verner won his second indivdual title in as many seasons by lifting a combined weight of 1,520 pounds in the bench press, dead lift, and squat. His total was a personal best.
“It felt good,” said Verner, whose goal is to leave high school with a third state title. “I just know I have to continue to work hard.”
Meanwhile, Starkville High senior Marcus Tate placed third in the Class 6A 275-pound class. Tate squated 530 pounds, benched 340, and dead lifted 575.
In the girls competition, Starkville”s Latedra Burkhalter placed third in the Class 3 220-pound division with a 275-pound squat, 135-pound bench and 325-pound dead lift. She finished 10 points out of first.
Starkville coach Willie Gillespie hoped to have senior Jondia Weatherspoon place, but she battled illness Saturday.
“We had a lot of close calls, but the pounds just didn”t add up,” Gillespie said. “I was proud of all of them and I think the season was a success. It didn”t end the way we would have liked for our seniors, but all of our kids got better.”
Also for Columbus High, senior Ryan McDonald (242 pounds) and junior Deon Taylor (181 pounds) finished fourth in Class 6A competition, while sophomore Jake Thomas placed fifth in the 308-pound division.
Staff writers Gary Estwick and David Miller contributed to this report.
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