BHS’s powerlifting teams worked hard at practice since October to perform their best at the Charger Power Invitational January 23. Each and every member put forth effort at doing their best.
Boys’ team members are Trent Hall, Rowdy Reynolds, Anthony Carvahlo, Joshua Plunk, Raymond Jennings, Ethan Longest, Jamar Brown, Carlos Cervantes, Josh Byrd, Jatravius Freelon and Rod Freelon.
Taylor Haire
On the girls’ team are Jacquez Jackson, Jersey Ferguson, Brooke Bennett, Julianna Cain, Anna Leise Tedford, Bailey Massey, Alley Carpenter, Taylor Haire, Jakina Steen, Breana Massey, Taylor Talford, Deidra Gibson, Shekerria Stephens and Angel Edwards.
Boys’ head coach Jordan Graham said, “These guys have been lifting weights since they were in seventh grade. We do special workouts three times a week to prepare for the lifts that we have to do in meets.”
In regard to the team’s future, he expects each lifter to get “stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally”.
For some lifters, like Anthoney Carvalho, this year is a first, and it is a new and exciting experience. “I think powerlifting is great because it’s a great way to show that even though I’m short, I am not weak,” he said.
Some are veterans at powerlifting, such as Jacquez Jackson. He is looking forward to the future meets and says they have a better chance to win as a team. “Last year we didn’t have enough people; this year we had more than enough and I hope everyone does well at the meets,” he said.
Not to be forgotten, the Lady Trojan powerlifting team has also performed well inside and outside of the weight room. Angie Owen, head coach, and Amanda Gulledge, assistant, have high expectations for their teams.
“I am very pleased with how the team has lifted so far. They are getting stronger each week and improving on their lifts. They work extremely hard. They will be working in the weeks to come to prepare for the north half meet in March,” said Gulledge.
The teams have performed well in the meets they have been in so far. The teams placed 3rd overall in the Charger Power Invitational and the girls placed 4th overall in a meet January 29.