Ty Blizzard totaled 1,300 pounds and qualified for regionals at the Atlanta Iron Meet of Champs on Feb. 25.
Sophomore Caden Walker pulls his way to a 1,275-pound total for the Atlanta Iron Powerlifting Team last Thursday. Photos by MAGGI WHITLOW
Atlanta Iron hosts Meet of Champs
Atlanta’s powerlifting program hosted the Meet of Champs in its weight room Feb. 25.
The meet featured lifters from Atlanta, Waskom, Carthage, Redwater, Hughes Springs and Clarksville.
Avery Whitlow and Josiah Hunt placed 1-2 in the 123-pound weight class with total lifts of 815 pounds and 725 pounds respectively, Aundra Haskins placed first in the 148s with a total of 930 pounds lifted and DK Parker placed second in the 181s with a total of 1,200 pounds lifted.
Clay Fant and Ty Blizzard placed 2-3 in the 220-pound weight class with total lifts of 1,355 pounds and 1,300 pounds respectively, Jaden Wells and Deaundre Mitchell placed 1-2 in the 275s with lift totals of 1,420 and 865 respectively and Caden Walker placed second in the 308s with a total lift of 1,275 pounds.
Overall medalists using the body weight formula were Clay Fant (fourth place), DK Parker (seventh place) and Ty Blizzard (eighth place).
Deaundre “Dip” Mitchell was handed the Senior Appreciation Award.
“We assembled a really good field of competitors last Thursday night. Each school brought their best three to five lifters who were battling to qualify for the Regional Meet Mar. 11, in Henderson,” Atlanta Iron Head Coach Craig Fant said. “Atlanta Iron had three to four guys improve their totals and move into a position to qualify. We have hosted three meets this year, they have been a great success and we appreciate all the vol unteers and workers who have helped make them fun and exciting.”
Coach Fant also spoke about Mitchell and how big of a factor he has been for the program and why he was handed the Senior Appreciation Award.
“Deaundre Mitchell has been a big part of our program,” Fant said. “He goes out of his way to help the other lifters, wrap knees and do anything extra we’ve needed done. We are really proud of him and appreciate his help!”
As of this article numbers were still being formulated for regional qualifiers. Coach Fant said seven Atlanta Iron lifters qualified for regionals with three to four more a possibility.
That number of lifters fired Coach Fant up especially since they combined 3A and 4A this season.