Featured image: Members of the Fort Payne Wildcat weightlifting team are as follows: Top row, from left, Michael Shaddix, Austin Weldon, Jordan Walls, Gladston Patterson, Marcus Chaney, Colton Blevins, Victor Lyles, Jonathan Allen, Andrew McBrayer, Logan Hulsey, Jake Newton and Connor Shrader. Front row, from left, Anna McElrath, Hannah Locklear, Avery Chadwick, Sydney Fobbus, Mckenzie Camp, Larissa Roe and Bailey Barnes.
Photo submitted by Christie Chaney

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

ELMORE COUNTY, Ala.— The Fort Payne High School Weightlifting Team took home the Class 6A State Title in the Alabama State Weightlifting Championship on Saturday.

Of the 19 students carried to the meet, 16 placed in either the bench press, squat or power clean event of the competition. Victor Lyles took home one individual title for the boys and the girls took home three titles.

In the girls division for the Fort Payne Wildcats, Senior Larissa Roe broke a state power clean record in her weight class lifting 125 pounds and came in first place, lifting on three lifts with a  total of 415 pounds. Senior Hannah Locklear tied the record on clean with a 135- pound lift and placed first in her division with total weight of 430 pounds. Senior Sydney Fobbus placed fourth with a total lift of 355 pounds.  Sophomore grader McKenzie Camp came in third in her class with a total lift of 435.  Freshman Anna McElrath broke the state squat record with 245 pounds and placed first in her division. Freshman Bailey Barnes placed 3rd in her division with 380 pounds. Third grader Avery Chadwick participated in the meet and her total lift was an impressive 145 pounds, defeating older lifters.

In the boys division for the Fort Payne Wildcats, Michael Shaddix blew away all of the competition with the best power clean of the meet with a 300-pound lift. Freshmen Connor Shrader and Jordan Walls each placed in their division.  Shrader placed second with a total of 570 pounds.  Walls came in fourth with a total of 515 pounds.  Sophomore Jake Newton placed fifth in his division with 825 pounds. Five juniors excelled in their divisions. Victor Lyles took home an individual title with 985 pounds.  Michael Shaddix placed second with a total of 955 pounds. Jonathan Allen and Andrew McBrayer each placed fourth in their divisions.  Allen had 890 pounds.  McBrayer had 760 pounds.  Austin Weldon was awarded 5th place with a 770 pound total lift.