Lady Dawgs, Bulldawgs send lifters to state powerlifting meet

By TJ MAXWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove Lady Dawgs finished second overall with 33 total points, just one point behind Del Valle with 34 at the Region 2 Division 1-6A Powerlifting Championships at Lockhart High School on March 5. The Lady Dawgs had four first-place finishes in the meet

The boys had two qualify for the state at the Region 2 Division 1-6A Championships at Cleburne High School on March 12.

Jiya Edwards led the Lady Dawgs with a first-place finish in the 165-pound weight class with 960 lbs. Edwards was also recognized for the best bench with 210 lbs, best deadlift with 390 lbs, and best overall lifter for the meet with 960 total pounds. She lifted 360 in the squat.

Alyssa Marmolejo also placed first in the 97 lb. weight class with 560lbs. She cleared 225 in the squat, 115 in the bench press and 240 in the deadlift for a total of 580 lbs.

Gabby Edouard finished first in the 148-pound class with 835 lbs. She cleared 315 in the squat, 165 in the bench press and 355 in the deadlift.

Joem Toala finished first in the 259-pound class. She cleared 400 in the squat, 195 in the bench, and 355 in the deadlift. 

Jolina Toala earned a third-place finish in the 220-pound class with 800 total pounds. She cleared 320 in the squat, 150 in the bench and 330 in the deadlift.

Ashanti Wright (220 lbs) and Michaela Grimm (97 lbs) both finished fifth with 720 lbs. And 390 lbs., respectively. Wright cleared 245 in the squat, 150 in the bench, and 325 in the deadlift while Grimm cleared 150 in the squat, 75 in the bench, and 165 in the deadlift.

For complete results from the girls’ regional championship visit http://www.thswpa.com/meetdetail.aspx?&passedDivisionID=5632.

Tyler Morrow will also be returning to state where he won it all last year. Morrow set a new regional squat record with 440 lbs and a new deadlift record at 455 lbs and total lift of 1,095 in the 114-pound weight class. He also cleared 440 in the squat.

Tyrese Francis also had a state-qualifying total of 1,095 lbs in the 181-pound class. He cleared 570 lbs. in the squat, 320 lbs. in the bench, and 500 lbs. in the deadlift for a fifth-place finish.

Chandler Gastelo also finished fifth with 1,270 total pounds in the 165-pound class. He cleared 505 in the squat, 285 in the bench and 480 in the deadlift.

The girls begin their run at a state title tomorrow after weighing in tonight at the American Bank Center Exhibit Hall in Corpus Christi where competition starts at 8 a.m.

The boys begin their quest for a state title with weigh-ins on March 24 with competition beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 26 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.