By Stan Beall
The Star Herald
RIDGELAND —
RIDGELAND –– The Ethel Powerlifting team won their first Region 3-1A Championship that was held at Ridgeland High School last Thursday.
Pelahatchie placed second, Nanih Waiya placed third, Noxapater placed fourth and Sebastopol finished in fifth place in the event.
The Tigers had four first place finishers with one each in the 114-pound class, the 148-pound class, the 165-pound class and the super-heavy weight class.
Jermaine Riley won the 114-pound class by lifting a total of 630 pounds while Cosie Veasley won the 148-pound class by lifting 800 total pounds.
Hunter Chisholm not only won the 165-pound class with a total lift of 1,065 pounds, but he won the best lightweight overall as well.
Deshun Dotson won the super-heavy weight class by lifting a total of 1,020 pounds.
“It was a great job by our kids,” EHS Powerlifting coach Paul Dees said, of the team’s region title. “We’ve gone from not being in the hunt to being competitive with our weight totals.”
The Tigers had three second place finishers that included Sage Graham in the 132-pound class lifting 745 pounds, Terrance Barnett in the 148-pound class lifting 775 pounds and Justin Self in the 181-pound class with a total lift of 820 pounds.
Emmit Erving finished third in the 308-pound class by lifting 835 pounds.
The Tigers rounded out the competition with three fourth place finishes and one fifth place finish.
Markei Johnson was named fourth in the 165-pound class by lifting a total of 795 pounds, Chris Ferri finished fourth in the 220-pound class by lifting a total of 740 pounds and Alontae Felton took fourth in the 308-pound class by lifting 795 pounds.
Cole Ellington finished fifth in the 242-pound class by lifting a total of 685 pounds.
“We looked to be in good shape for the next round (South State),” concluded Dees. “It was a good reward for how hard they have worked in the weight room.”
Pelahatchie placed second, Nanih Waiya placed third, Noxapater placed fourth and Sebastopol finished in fifth place in the event.
The Tigers will compete in the South State Tournament in Ridgeland on March 4.
