Powerlifting: Four from Oak Ridge compete at regionals

Four powerlifters from Oak Ridge High School competed Saturday in the Region 4 Meet at Alief Taylor High School. To qualify for the regional, a lifter must be in the top 10 in their weight class among 4A and 5A schools.

Competing in only his third meet, sophomore Logan Green entered the meet as the No. 10 lifter in the 114.5-pound class. In finishing ninth at the regional, Logan set personal records in squat and bench.

In the 148.5-pound class, Tyler Marcel entered the meet ranked sixth in the region. Marcel was able to set personal records in squat, with a 395-pound lift, and bench with a 285-pound lift. These two lifts along with an impressive deadlift of 460 pounds earned a fifth-place medal and one point for his team.

In the 198.5-pound class, which is one of the most competitive classes in high school powerlifting, George Stephenson entered the meet ranked second in the region. With a combined 1430 pounds in all three disciplines (580-squat, 530-deadlift, 320-bench), Stephenson had the best day of his career earning himself and Oak Ridge a first-place medal. In the process, he went up 50 pounds on his bench press from the last meet.

In the 242.5 class, senior lifter Justin Latonero came in as the top lifter in the region. Latonero was able to start the meet off with two personal bests in squat, with a lift of 600 pounds and in bench (400 pounds). In having problems with his grip in the deadlift, he was still able to lift 500 pounds giving him a total of 1,500 pounds and a second-place medal.

As a team, the War Eagles earned 13 points which was good enough for a team trophy at the regional, a first for the school.

Latonero and Stephenson will represent Oak Ridge and Region 4 at the state meet in Abilene on March 22.

Coach Will Compton on his charges, "We had a great year. These student-athletes have truly been great to coach. Powerlifting doesn't get a lot of publicity like some other sports do but it should. Our kids do powerlifting because they love competing and a desire to be the best.

"I could really see the effects of our off-season in our team this year. We competed harder and encouraged each other more. The end result is success as individuals and more important, as a team. I know our success will spill over to the other Oak Ridge sports. The future is bright at Oak Ridge High School."

Oak Ridge competes in the THSPA (Texas High School Powerlifting Association).

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