FLEXING THEIR MUSCLES

Setting new meet records, Clifton Lady Cub powerlifters win team title at Bosqueville Invitational to open season; Clifton hosts quad meet Saturday

Picking up right where they left off from their standard-setting 2023 Texas high school powerlifting season, the Clifton boys and girls teams flexed their muscles at the 2024 season opening Bosqueville Invitational meet held Jan. 13.

Led by juniors Lenora Busby and Taryn Busby, the Lady Cubs won the team title with 48 points, finishing ahead of runner-up West with 40 points and Fairfield with 35. Powered by senior Levi Knox, the Clifton boys finished fourth behind meet champion Fairfield, runner-up McGregor and third place West.

“They all lifted very well,” Clifton powerlifting head coach James Humphreys said. “It set the standard and expectation for this season. Coach Trigg and I were proud they were able to see their hard work paying off. Several of them were able to pick up where they left off from last season.”

For the Lady Cubs, Lenora Busby broke the Bosqueville meet deadlift record in her 198-pound weight class by putting up 370 pounds, while her twin sister Taryn Busby broke the Bosqueville meet bench press record in her 220-pound weight class by pressing 205 pounds.

For the Clifton boys, Knox broke Bosqueville meet bench press record in his 181-pound weight class by powering up 355 pounds. Cub senior Riley Finney, a returning state qualifier, did not compete due to a knee injury suffered during football season.

“The girls won the Bosqueville meet and set many personal individual records,” Humphreys said. “The boys competed very well and also achieved a lot of their personal goals. And of course, we are looking forward to seeing Riley lift at a future meet.”

Coming off a three-week break, Clifton will host a quad meet competing against Whitney, West and Meridian on Saturday, Feb. 3 in the Clifton High School weight room, focusing on moving toward qualifying for the regional meet.

“It’s a sanctioned meet that will give the lifters an opportunity to improve their bench, squat, deadlift total and submit to the THSPA and THSWPA powerlifting regional rankings system” Humphreys said. “The top 12 in each division will qualify for the regional meet.

“Since November, we have had close to 50 boys and girls in the weight room lifting, sweating and grinding out a workout. I’m very proud of their effort, determination and dedication.”

Following pre-season workouts leading to the first meet of the season, Humphreys has been anticipating what his 2024 boys and girls powerlifting teams might accomplish. After taking four Clifton boys to the 2023 regional championships, Humphreys expressed pride in their accomplishments this season while being excited about what lies ahead.

“The boys have several young very motivated lifters,” Humphreys said. “They love the weightroom, and you will always find them lifting to get bigger, faster and stronger. There are four returning regional qualifiers and one state qualifier that will make the boys team competitive.”

With that said, the Lady Cubs took it a step further in 2023, returns 15 regional qualifiers and one state qualifier.

“They are a very competitive, hard working group of young ladies that love lifting weights,” Humphreys said. “These girls are strong, can move some weight and are a lot of fun to coach.”

But beyond the meets, the medals and the sense of accomplishment, Humphreys remains a strong believer in what weightlifting can mean to the development of young athletes.

“Powerlifting is a sport that helps an athlete run faster, jump higher and win the physical battles,” Humphreys said. “It greatly improves the overall athletic ability for an athlete and their other sports. And I’m proud to be coaching a weight room full of believers dedicated to becoming better athletes.”