Burton qualifies two of its members to the State Powerlifting meet in Abilene. Seniors Mark Odom and Jackson Morey each won their individual weight classes to advance to the State Meet. For Morey, this is a first-time advancement. After a 6th place, 705 lb finish in the 123 class at last year's Regional meet, Jackson re-dedicated himself to the weight room and captured the Regional title this year in the 123s with a 935 lb total. For Odom, this year marks his 2nd consecutive Regional Championship and his 2nd trip to State in the 132 class. Not satisfied with merely a return trip to State, Odom broke two Regional records: he broke last year's squat record of 380 (which he tied with) with a new lift this year of 435 pounds and set a total record of 1085 pounds, 80 pounds heavier than the previous record.
Morey and Odom were two of the six Panthers at the Regional meet. First-year Freshmen Andrew Gonzales and Zachary Purvis captured 4th and 5th place in the 123 class with a three-lift total of 765 pounds each. Gonzales broke the tie by being the lighter lifter. The pair were joined on the medal stand by Junior Hunter Duffy, who captured 5th in the 132 class with a 965-pound total. Senior Kolton Lunbeck finished his powerlifting career 10th among the 165 class with a 1005-pound total.
The Panthers finished 4th overall at the Regional meet, their best ever Regional showing with 18 team points. Morey and Odom travel to Abilene for the State Powerlifting meet held at the Taylor Convention Center on Saturday, March 22nd.