LIFTING TO STATE TITLE

Clifton’s Finney sets new state record at THSPA’s Div. 3 State Championships; Lady Cubs Busby, Humphreys medal at THSWPA’s Small Class 3A state meet

Taking his place among the Texas high school powerlifting elite to the next level, Clifton senior Riley Finney captured the gold medal in the 220-pound weight class at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association’s Division 3 State Championships held last Saturday at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

Setting a new state record with a 550-pound bench press, Finney won the 220-pound weight class by 50 pounds with a total weight of 1,745 pounds, powering past silver medalist Caiden Moore of Mount Vernon with 1,695 pounds and bronze medalist Akilles Garcia of Orangefield with 1,690. In addition to his gold medal, Finney earned the Outstanding Bench Press Award.

“Riley’s hard work and determination all started when he was a young athlete,” Clifton powerlifting head coach James Humphreys said. “He has always had high expectations for himself, and winning the state meet was his goal.”

As a junior, Finney won the bronze medal in the 198-pound weight class with a total weight of 1,565 pounds while winning the Outstanding Bench Press Award with a lift of 455 pounds.

“We are very proud of him,” Humphreys said. “He sets the standard when it comes to hard work, self-motivation and being a great leader. I am proud to say I have had the opportunity to coach him.”

Led by senior Kate Humphreys, junior Lenora Busby and junior Taryn Busby, the Lady Cubs sent seven lifters to compete at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association’s Small Class 3A State Championship held March 14 at Comerica Center in Frisco.

Competing in the 198-pound weight class, Lenora Busby captured the bronze medal with a total weight of 985 pounds, just behind gold medalist Araceley Segovia of Natalia and Samatha Agan of Elkhart with 1,000 pounds. Humphreys claimed the fifth place medal in the 148-pound weight class with a total weight of 840 pounds.

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

“Some of the best lifters in Texas attend school for Clifton High School,” Humphreys said. “I’m very proud to say seven girls finished in the top 10 of the state. It shows that our program works and these kids put in hard work.”

Other Lady Cubs competing at state included Santillan placing seventh in the 1232-pound class as the third in her family to qualify for state, Hunt placing seventh in the 114-pound class, Taryn Busby placing seventh in the 220-pound class, Ritz placing ninth in the 132-pound class in her second straight trip to state, and Baker placing ninth in the 165-pound class.

“We have a strong group of young ladies,” Humphreys said. “Five of the state qualifiers are juniors, and I’m already looking forward to next season. I’m beyond proud of all the girls that lifted this season.”