New Hope powerlifting will be sending three athletes to represent the Trojans at the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A state championships in Jackson after qualifying at the North State meet March 3 in Lake Cormorant.
RJ Cunningham, Cole Monahan, Merrit Moon missed just two lifts combined last Friday, placing third in their respective weight classes to qualify for Jackson.
“We had a good meet in the North Half,” New Hope head coach Cameron Olsen said. “We’re trying to build a good powerlifting program, a big one. Two of my three qualifiers, this is their first year doing it and I thought they did an outstanding job.”
Moon and Monahan were both first-time North State participants and first-time state qualifiers, while Cunningham has now qualified for back-to-back state championship meets.
It’s been difficult for Olsen and previous powerlifting head coach Seth Stillman to find interested students to join the team, but this season was one of New Hope’s strongest in recent memory.
Of a possible 12 spots to be filled during district meets, the Trojans had nine powerlifters qualify for this season’s Region 1 meet as Olsen has looked to build off the previous foundation Stillman left.
“Coach Stillman did a fantastic job with it before I took over,” Olsen said. “This year, I think we took nine powerlifters to districts, which I don’t think New Hope has ever done. Just getting kids excited about it, getting them in there and competing.”
Moon, who lifted in the 181-pound class, finished at 410 pounds for squats, 225 pounds on bench press and 435 pounds on deadlift.
Cunningham, who lifted in the 220-pound class, finished at 510 pounds for squats, 285 pounds on bench press and 520 pounds on deadlift.
Monahan, lifting in the 275-pound class, finished at 500 pounds on squat, 280 pounds on the bench and 465 pounds on deadlift.
The three will head to Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson to compete for a state title on April 1.
“When kids see other kids having success, it’s somewhat addictive,” Olsen said. “Other people want to be a part of it. We’re hoping we can ride that into next year and build an even bigger team. … We’re looking to hopefully place, obviously try to win it, but hopefully get a medal at states. I’m excited to have three going.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
