Several Golden Triangle schools were represented at the Mississippi High School Activities Association state powerlifting championships on Saturday, including 5A and 4A champions from New Hope and Caledonia, respectively.
New Hope junior Merrit Moon finished first in his weight class after competing in 165-pound class and finished in first place with a squat of 470 pounds, a bench press of 255 pounds, and a deadlift of 520 pounds for 1245 total, beating the runner-up by 50 pounds.
Moon and teammate Lalen Atterberry, who finished sixth in his weight class, were part of a New Hope contingent that was following in the footsteps of a strong group the year before. Moon was a sophomore when he competed in Jackson last year and came up short. This time around, he made it count.
“It feels good to see him rewarded for the hard work he’s put in, and in this sport, it’s a direct correlation with the time you put into it and getting to see the fruits of your labor,” Trojans coach Brad Butler said of Moon. “It’s not something that just happens in a few months, he started years ago, and last year he got to the state championship but this year it was his goal to win it. He was able to do it because he’s got a great work ethic, he’s self-motivated and highly dedicated.”
The Trojans weren’t the only area team to bring home a title.
In just the second year for Caledonia girls powerlifting, four athletes placed at the state meet. In the program’s first year, Lauren Brown brought home a first-place finish at state, and this year Izzy Glasgow and Nina Weinstein added to that legacy.
“Izzy Glasgow is the one who came to me about three years ago to try and get the program started,” Caledonia coach Jason Forrester said. “Lauren jumped in and it blossomed from there. The girls want to work, there’s more interest from girls wanting to try out because it’s another avenue for these girls to compete and represent the school.”
Glasgow won the 181-pound class with a three-lift total of 765 pounds while teammate Weinstein won the 165-pound class with a three-lift total of 740 pounds.
The other two Cavaliers who made the trip to Jackson were Lacy Goins, who placed second in the 242-pound class with a three-lift total of 800 pounds, and Delani Clements, who also placed second in her 105-pound class with a three-3 lift total of 610 pounds. Clements also set a new state record 290-pound deadlift.
“These girls have worked really hard,” Forrester continued. “Last year we started with just 12 girls, 10 by the time of our first meet, and one ended up winning a state championship. This year we had about 40 come to tryouts. I didn’t expect anything this successful this early. Didn’t expect a whole lot the first couple of years, but we’re well ahead of schedule and that goes to their work ethic and their want to.”
Starkville and West Point both had athletes place in the state meet on Saturday as well.
West Point’s Quinterion Tillman-Evans finished third in his weight class, deadlifting an incredible 585 pounds while wearing a pair of boots.
Starkville’s Trinity Harris quite literally hit above her weight all weekend and finished 6th in her class while competing against girls 40 pounds heavier than her.
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