Kosciusko junior Javen Mallett and McAdams senior Shawnessey Martin were medal winners when the Mississippi High School Activities Association held powerlifting state championships at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Mallett won the silver medal for second place in the 242-pound weight class at the boys 4A meet. Martin took the bronze by finishing third in the girls 165 weight class in Class IA for 1A and 2A schools.
Mallett lifted a personal best total of 1,480 pounds, with 650 for the squat, 255 for the bench press and a dead lift of 575. The squat was also a personal best.
“I knew I had to do it,” he said.
Mallett trailed Itawamba AHS senior Thomas who had a total of 1,630 pounds, including a 710-pound dead lift, a 4A record for the weight class. Kline is a member of the Super 12, the top lifter in each weight class over all classifications.
Martin had a total of 745 with a 290 squat, 115 bench press and 340 dead lift. She trailed seniors Laura Cobb of East Union with 950 pounds and Micheala Christian of Amite with 765.
In team competition, Kosciusko boys finished 10th in 4A boys, McAdams girls were ninth in Class I and McAdams boys 15th in 1A. Kosciusko did not have any girls qualify for the meet.
“I'm proud of this group,” McAdams first year coach Roy Rigsby said. “We had a young team and they are growing, regenerating the love for powerlifting.”
Kosciusko had one other qualifier. Sophomore Nathan Hil was fourth at 114 with a 585 total in his first year as a lifter. “It became an experience for him so he knows what he is working toward in the future,” said coach Jonathan Cates.
McAdams had three participates in boys 1A. Freshman Nate Donaldson was fourth at 123 with a 600 total, junior Chris Harmon fifth at 181 with 1,020 and sophomore Dekerrion Williams seventh at 181 (970).
For McAdams girls, junior Kiyah Harmon was fourth at 132 with 525 pounds and sophomore Amber Harmon finished filth at 123 (545).
Ethel had one participant. Ken Payton, an eighth grader, was second at 114 for 1A with 795, enabling Ethel to finish 11th.
Boys team winners were Gulfport in 6A, Lake Cormorant in 5A, South Pike in 4A, Union in 3A, Velma Jackson in 2A and Tupelo Christian in 1A.
For girls, Ocean Springs won 6A, Gautier 5A, South Pike 4A, Kossuth 3A and East Union won for the eighth consecutive time in Class I.
