LITTLE RIVER-ACADEMY — Putting an exclamation mark on what has already been a banner season, the Clifton girls powerlifting team will send seven competitors to the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association’s Region 2, Division 3 Championship Meet Saturday at Academy High School.
Led by back-to-back senior state qualifier Kamyrn Kettler, the Lady Cubs head to regionals after winning two invitational meet team titles and finishing as runner-up in another before placing third in the West Invitational Feb. 22, the final regional qualifying event on their schedule.
Seniors Sutton Finney and Maddie Burk join Kamryn Kettler as four-time regional qualifiers, Katelyn Hunt and Beth Ann McMillian return to regionals for the third time, while Sara Slater and Grace Countryman will be making their first trip to the regional meet.
“We are very excited to have seven girls advance,” Clifton powerlifting head coach Brent Finney said. “Five of them are repeat qualifiers from last year. I want to congratulate the girls for qualifying for regionals and putting in the hard work to get there.”
Competing in the 19 team field at the West Invitational, Kamryn Kettler won the gold medal in the 181-pound class, Hunt (105), Finney (132) and Burk (148) captured silver medals, while Kambrie Kettler (123) placed fourth, Sara Slater (105) fifth, and Kynli Bearden (165) fifth.
Other Heart of Texas regional qualifiers include West leading the contingent with 10 lifters: Lainey Willis (97), Reece Griffin (114), Kylee Schroeder Howard (114), Trinity Vidrine (123), Ally Holloman (123), Hunter Klish (148), Chloe Kaluza (148), Jenna Maler (165), Trinati Montes (165), Hannah Hlavenka (181); followed by Crawford with seven lifters: Sadey Paniagua (97), Kennadi Witt (97), Kealey Witt (105), Sally Love (114), Jessica Pessin (165), Erica Ivey (198) and Laila Bermudez (198); Dublin with five lifters Daisy Almazan (97), Jimena Vazquez (105), Morgan Kent (148), Analise Burciaga (181), Callie Estes (198); Whitney with four lifters Alli McCreey (97), Reagan Wilkerson (132), Stephanie Speights (181), Alli Saucedo (220); Moody with four lifters Ania Belvin (97), Alicia Cortez (114), Kinlee Kollaja (132), Lyleigh Mach (220); Comanche with four lifters Summer Furlong (105), Emily Guerrero (148), Carly Rodriguez (198), Leticia Salas (259+); Bosqueville with three lifters Riley Valles (148), Maci Smelscer (181), Madison Walker (259+); McGregor with three lifters Carli Evans (97), Cheyenne McDonald (220), Leslie Alvarez (220); Hico with two lifters Alexis Gustavsen (105), Cydney Morgan (198); Bruceville-Eddy with two lifters Lucy McCann (148), Cristal Sanchez (181), along with Rio Vista lifter Baylee Brown (259), Valley Mills lifter Jessica Chavria (259)and Hamilton lifter Lorraine Herd (259+).
Photos by DAVID HARDING
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