The Calvary Cavaliers traveled east on I-20 to compete at the West Monroe Invitational on Saturday afternoon. Competitors included top-notch programs like host West Monroe and Cedar Creek. Local team also included Ringgold.
For the boys division, Cedar Creek won four weight classes. West Monroe claimed three. The Cavaliers won two. Airline and Delhi Charter each grabbed a weight class win.
The boys Cavs weightlifting squad included wins by Jake Hildebrand (114) and Joseph Wilson (198). Hildebrand had the top lift in all three categories with a 200 squat, 125 bench, and 245 deadlift for a total of 570. Hildebrand won his division by 40 lbs. Joseph Wilson’s win was a lot closer as he edged out Carson Riley of Cedar Creek by 5 lbs. Wilson took the squat 500-465 over Riley. Riley came back with a bench of 315 to Wilson’s 280. Wilson edged Riley on the deadlift 455-450. Wilson lifted a total of 1235for the win. Calvary had five other boys to make the podium. Latarraus “Pop Tart” Jackson (132) and Parker Malone (SHW) finished second. Jordan Wallace (165), Landon Mayeaux (198), and Johnathan Elie (SHW) took third place honors.
“The boys are behind our normal pace and for a good reason- playing for the state in football was worth it, ” Calvary head coach Daniel Vandenberg said. “This weekend was the boys first meet on 3 weeks prep. In the next few weeks, we look to clean some technical errors up and figure out the best personnel for each weight class. Keep the goal, the goal.”
The girls division saw Calvary’s Skylar Odom claim Best Lift Light Platform for the second time this season. Odom won the 132 weight class with 315 squat, 160 bench, and 295 dead for a total of 770 lbs. The host team took honors in five classes. Cedar Creek and Calvary each took three. Bailey Barber took the 123 division. Barber had enough on her 295 squat to keep her lead through to win her division. Barber also had a 125 bench and 245 deadlift for a total of 665lbs winning by 20 lbs. In the 114 division, Calvary took all three spots on the podium with Aubrey Mayo taking the division with 255 squat, 140 bench, and 280 deadlift for a total of 675 lbs. Breanna Jones took second and Pamela Lee captured third in the same division. Other second-place finishers were Emma Grace Lazarus (97) and Caitlyn Perser (105). Third place honors went to Cantley Mulford (97), Sami Anderson (105), Chloe Kalmbach (132), and Hannah Guerrero (148).
“I’m proud of our girls squad, ” Vanderberg said. “Their highlight was the team support for each other. It didn’t matter if it was 1, 2, or 3 plates on each side, the support was contagious. We are gelling as a team.”
Calvary will now get ready for the North Regional at Ruston High School on February 25-27 to qualify for the state meet in Monroe.
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