S.C. girls win Clay powerlifting meet

The South Central High School girls powerlifting team finished in first place among seven schools on Jan. 24 at the eighth annual "Raising the Bar" meet hosted by Oregon Clay. The Trojans totaled 5,790 pounds to win the girls team title. The boys placed fifth with 9,020 pounds for its total weight. "The kids were excited," head coach Brian Kiesel said. "We only get three or four competitions in a season, and they were more than stressed that the weather was going to take away an opportunity to compete and see what all their hard work has done for reaching their goals. Autumn Fry tied two meet records at 175 pounds, in both the bench press (150 pounds) and squat (290). At 225 pounds, Jenna Shepherd also tied the meet records with the same totals in each lift. That also allowed Fry and Shepherd to place first in their individual weight class, and they were joined by Alexis Hoover, who was the top lifter at 145 pounds. Placing second for South Central included Riley Lydy (125), Riley Major (135), Bry Lopez (175), and Izzy Lucha (unlimited). Lauren Ingram (135) and Ivy Doughty (145) each placed third. For the South Central boys, both Brayden Mills (125) and Lucas Kilgore (185) each placed third. "We truly thank Oregon Clay and all those who allowed us to and also braved the weather," he added. "It was Clay's eighth annual meet, and it went off without a hitch after moving the start time back from the original time." New London and Western Reserve also had athletes compete at the meet. Xzavian Meagrow won the 145-pound weight class for the Roughriders. New London's Grady Byron (145) and Jaxson Speicher (175) each placed third.