PUMPING UP TO STATE

Clifton’s Finney wins gold, sets THSPA regional meet records to advance to state; Lady Cubs send seven lifters to THSWPA state meet Thursday

After bringing home the bronze medal at state as a junior, Clifton senior powerlifter Riley Finney earned a return trip to the Texas High School Powerlifting Association’s Division 3 State Championship held March 22 at Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

Competing in the THSPA’s Region 2, Division 3 Championships last Saturday at West High School, Finney captured the regional gold medal for the second consecutive year, winning the 220-pound weight class by setting the meet record in bench press with 530 pounds, as well as another meet standard with a total weight of 1,700 pounds.

“Riley’s record-setting performance is a testament to all his hard work throughout his career,” Clifton powerlifting head coach James Humphreys said. “He came back from an injury during football season and was able to still compete at an elite level. We are very proud of him.”

Other Clifton regional qualifiers included Judd New in the 132-pound weight class, as well as Robert Morales and Xavier Quintero in the 123-pound weight class. New finished sixth with a total weight of 1,000 pounds behind regional champion Nicholas Thompson of West with 1,200 pounds. In the 123-pound class, Morales placed sixth with 905 pounds followed by Quintero in ninth with 785.

Led by senior Kate Humphreys, junior Lenora Busby and junior Taryn Busby, the Lady Cubs will send seven lifters to compete at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association’s Small Class 3A State Championship held Thursday at Comerica Center in Frisco.

Humphreys, Busby and Busby enter the state meet ranked in the top five in their respective weight classes. Other Clifton girls qualifying for state include senior Alyssa Santillan, Junior Kaitlyn Baker, junior Cameron Ritz and junior Kyndall Hunt.

Led by gold medalists Humphreys, Baker and Lenora Busby as well as silver medalists Santillan, Ritz and 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.

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.

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

“We are very proud of all these girls’ hard work and accomplishments,” Humphreys said. “Just qualifying for the state meet is very difficult. All seven girls compete in other sports (track, softball) and have found the time to continue to get stronger.

“These kids qualifying for state and regionals is a testament to our overall boys and girls athletic program. Our kids work hard, balance multiple sports and these are the results.”