Eupora and East Webster will each be represented by two lifters at the boys MHSAA state powerlifting meet.
For Eupora, junior Edwin Herard will compete in the 181-pound weight class and sophomore Parker Blaylock will be at 308. East Webster will be represented at the 2A meet by freshman K.T. Patterson at 123 and junior Rashad Hamilton at super heavyweight.
The state meet will be April 21 at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson. Lifters qualify for the meet by finishing in the top three for their weight classes at the North State or South State meet.
For Eupora, Herard was second in his weight class at the 2A North meet with a total of 1,280 pounds for the squat, bench press and dead lift. Clark was also second for his weight class, totaling 1,085 pounds.
“They're in two strong weight classes, but both of them have been working hard,” said coach Stephen Edwards. “Both are 500-pound plus dead lifters. Both are 500-plus squatters. You add that up, that's 1,000 pounds, which gives them a chance. I definitely think they have a shot to get top three.”
Herard took third at last year's state meet while competing at 165.
For East Webster, Patterson won 2A North with lifts totaling 820 pounds. He was third at the state meet last year at the 114 weight class as an eighth grader. Hamilton was second at 2A North for super heavyweights with total weight of 1,145 pounds.
“If they both show up and do what they can, they have a very good chance of winning,” said coach Brandon Haynes.
Neither school has a girls powerlifting team.
