The Louisville boys powerlifting team was enjoying a strong season until the coronavirus pandemic closed Mississippi schools and halted high schools sports.
Nine members of the team qualified for the Region 2-4A meet, then five of them qualified for the North State meet which has not been held. Lifters must finish in the top three in their weight classes to advance to the next level.
Louisville had two lifters first, two second and one third at the region meet. In close competition, the team finished third with 30 points, trailing Newton County (36) and Leake Central (30).
Jaquayvius Hawthorne and Kristian Hopkins finished first at the region meet, Kentay Roach and Jakerrios Miller took second and Jacorey Coleman finished third.
Hopkins won the 220-pound division with a total of 1,280 pounds for successful lifts in the squat, bench press and deadlift. Hawthorne was first in the 123-pound class with a total of 700 pounds.
Miller, competing in the 308-pound plus class, took second with 1,285 pounds. Roach was runnerup at 114 with a total of 545 and Jacorey Coleman was third at 165 with a 945 total.
Miller, Hopkins and Hawthorne are seniors, Roach is a junior and Coleman a sophomore. Hopkins is class valedictorian and Star Student.
The North State meet was scheduled for March 20 at Itawamba High School, but everything has been put on hold. Officially, the Mississippi High School Activities Association has not canceled the remainder of the season.
Louisville coach John Sallis felt that Hawthorne, Hopkins, Roach and Miller all had an excellent chance of advancing to the state meet. But if that is not possible, he understands the reason.
“Safety first,” he said. “It's not worth it to have even one person get sick. The kids understand that.”
