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January 18, 2008

Expectations high for AHS powerlifters (w/schedule)

First meet set Saturday at Brownsboro

By Benny Rogers

Randy Smith has a ton of expectations for his Athens High School powerlifting squads.

The AHS coach will begin seeing if potential is to become reality Saturday when the season begins at the annual Brownsboro meet. Action is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Experience, especially on the boys team, is the reason Smith believes 2008 could be a big year. Three regional qualifiers return, including one state qualifier and one state alternate. Two regional alternates are also back.

Senior Chase Johnson returns to lead the AHS boys after qualifying for state last year. He will be joined by junior Keylan Hunter, who was a state alternate.

Seniors Michael Johnson and Cedrick Kiser were regional alternates last year and junior Derrick Rhodes a regional qualifier.

“I expect big things from this year’s boys team,” Smith said. “Powerlifting has become a huge part of our off-season program.”

Smith said as many as 80 athletes are pumping weights on a daily basis during the week.

“We are allowed to enter 11 lifters in most meets and our goal is to qualify as many lifters as we can for the regional meet in March.”

Smith said the 11 competitors for meets each week would be determined on performances during practices.

“I would like to see us take a full team of 11 to regionals,” Smith said. “We qualified six last year.”

Smith said he expects a good year from seniors Matt Hurst and George Castaneda, juniors Terrence Jackson, Thomas Moore, Joseph Lagrone and Stephen Blakemore and sophomore James Marshall.

For the AHS girls, junior Odette Rivero, who won a medal at the state meet a year ago, is back to lead the way.

“The girls team has four quality lifters who all have the potential to qualify for regionals,” Smith said.

Expected to compete for regional berths with Rivero are senior Holly Eckert, junior Kalli Porter and sophomore Gabby Williams.

“These young ladies have been working hard and will represent Athens in a positive way every time they compete,” Smith said.



2008 ATHENS HIGH SCHOOL

POWERLIFTING SCHEDULE

Date Site Teams

Jan. 19 Brownsboro VG-VB

Jan. 26 Mabank VG-VB

Feb. 2 Van VG-VB

Feb. 9 Winnsboro VG-VB

Feb. 23 Lindale VG-VB

March 6 Regionals VG

March 8 Regionals VB

VG-Varsity Girls

VB-Varsity Boys

The girls regional meet is at Forney. The boys regional meet is at Elysian Fields.

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