LIFTING TO STATE LEVEL

Clifton Lady Cubs capture THSWPA’s Small Class 3A, Region 2 team championship as seven lifters advance to state; Humphreys, Baker, Busby win regional gold medals

After the Clifton girls powerlifting team qualified 19 lifters for the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association’s Small Class 3A Region 2 Championship held in Dublin last Saturday, the Lady Cubs advanced seven to the State Championship March 14 at Comerica Center in Frisco.

Led by gold medalists senior Kate Humphreys, junior Kaitlyn Baker and junior Lenora Busby as well as silver medalists senior Alyssa Santillan, junior Cameron Ritz and junior Taryn Busby, the Lady Cubs won the overall team regional championship with 45 points, finishing ahead of runner-up Brady with 33 points and third place Comanche with 30.

While the top two lifters in each weight class advance to state, Clifton junior Kyndall Hunt finished third in the 114-pound weight class, but her total weight of 675 hit the state qualifier mark.

“All of the girls competed so well,” Clifton powerlifting head coach James Humphreys said. “We are very proud of their hard work and determination. Winning the regional meet was a huge reward for their dedication and work ethic. They all produced PRs on lifts and performed very well.”

Humphreys won the 148-pound weight class with a total of 835 pounds, Baker captured the 165-pound class with a total of 780 pounds, and Lenora Busby took the 198-pound title with a total of 945 pounds.

“We stay focused and worked hard to perfect our technique,” Humphreys said. “I stress to them every day that technique is very important in order to be successful at the regional and state meets. The judges are very strict on performing the lift correctly.

“The Girls have been doing very well, and I looked for them to compete for a regional title. It was important to continue improving our totals and working toward regional qualifications. Winning the regional meet was the ultimate goal.”

Going into the regional championship meet, the Lady Cubs ranked 10 lifters among the top five in their respective weight classes – Cameron Ritz (1st, 132), Lenora Busby (1st, 198), Kate Humphreys (1st, 148), Alyssa Santillan (2nd, 123), Taryn Busby (2nd, 220), Nyla Goff (3rd, 198), Kyndall Hunt (3rd, 114), Ellie King (3rd, 165), Piper Bennett (5th, 148) and Kaitlyn Baker (5th, 165).

“Powerlifting is still a team sport,” Humphreys said. “If you finish in the top five, you score points for the team. They all improved very well and continued to get stronger. They have been working very hard in the weightroom, and the results showed at regional.”

Other Lady Cub regional qualifiers included Reese Finney (114), Payton Burden (114), Emory Slator (114), Layla Morales (123), Karsyn Cosper (123), Piper Bennette (148), Ellie King (165), Hailey Issacs (165), Nylah Goff (198), Sophia Johnson (198), Dakota Vaughn (220) and Bailey McMillian (220).

“The kids have been working very hard the last three months,” Humphreys said. “We had 23 Clifton girls and 26 Clifton boys lifting. They were all able to see positive results and new PRs. It’s awesome to see them get excited when they get a new PR. Each lifter story is so unique in itself. For them to get stronger, smile and be excited is what it’s all about.”