JHS lifters compete at Lion Invitational

by Michelle Dillon michelle@thecherokeean.com

The Jacksonville Maidens finished third and the Indians, fourth, at the Lion Powerlifting Invitational Thursday, Jan. 23.

The Maidens, who earned 40 points, followed Longview Pine Tree (43) and Lindale (41).

Winning top honors in the 181-division, Danielle Searcy lifted a total weight of 720 pounds (310, squat; 120, bench; 290, dead lift). Searcy is tied with Samira Matlock of Tyler Lee for second in Region 3 Division 1 standings.

Alyssa Justice earned the top slot in the 259-class with lifts (230, 100, 220) totaling 550 pounds. She is currently third in Region 3 D1 standings.

Nathaly Martinez took the second position in the 105-weight class with lifts totaling 525 pounds (215, 80, 230). Litzy Martinez, participating in the same division, earned fifth with a total weight of 395 pounds. Nathaly Martinez is currently ranked third, while Litzy Martinez is ranked seventh.

Brittany Westbrook earned the second spot in the 123-segment with lifts (235, 155, 265) totaling 655 pounds. She is ranked third in Region 3 Division 1 standings. Kristen Gonzalez also earned a second-place finish, participating in the 148-weight class. Her lifts (275, 120, 265) totaled 660 pounds.

Amerelis Gonzalez, another second-place finisher, earned her spot in the 220-division with a total weight of 785 pounds (360, 125, 300). Toniyah Tyler, participating in the same classification, placed fourth with a total weight of 690 pounds. Gonzalez is currently ranked sixth and Tyler, 10th.

Brooklyn Hunter also participated, finishing in the fifth position in the 132-segment with a total weight of 550 pounds. She is ranked fifth in Region 3 Division 1 standings.

The Indians’ fourth-place finish (24 points), placed them behind Longview Pine Tree (54), tyler Chapel Hill (34) and Lindale (33).

Zala Antonio was top finisher in the 242-weight class with a total weight of 1,090 pounds (430, 225, 435). He is currently ranked 12th in Region 3 Division 1 standings.

Jacob Huddleston secured second place in the 181-division, with teammates Gerardo Ramirez and Darion Jones finishing third and fourth, respectively. Huddleston’s total weight was 1,050 pounds (405, 225, 420). He is ranked ninth. Ramirez’s lifts (385, 245, 400) gave him a total of 1,030 pounds. Jones finished with a total weight of 1,000 pounds (355, 250, 395).

Participating in the 242-segment, Emiliano Corona and Billy Bateman earned third- and fourth-place finishes, respectively. Corona hoisted 970 pounds (325, 215, 430) and Bateman, 950 pounds (340, 225, 385).

Other Jacksonville competitors included Tristan Josey, 165-class, 11th, 820 pounds; Anthony Cummings, 198-division, fifth, 815; Brantley Bauer, 220-segment, seventh, 855; Blake Causey, 275-category, seventh, 780; and Alexis Martinez, SHW, fifth, 780.

The Tribe will travel to Whitehouse Thursday, Feb. 13, for their next powerlifting meet.