Royal power lifters shine at own meet

ROYAL CITY - Seven members of the Royal team placed at the Royal Powerlifting Meet at Royal High School last Saturday.

Leading the way was Hunter Follett, who finished second at 220 pounds. He had to compete in the 220-pound class instead of his usual 198 because he missed his weigh-in by a pound.

Follett's lifts were 405 pounds in the squat, 250 in the bench and 460 in the dead for a total of 1,105 pounds.

There were 62 power lifters from around the state. About 20 came from Ocean Shores, site of the state meet, and Omak.

The Ocean Shores girls team took first, Omak was second, and Royal was third. In the boys competition the top two were reversed with Omak first, Ocean Shores second and Royal third.

Also taking second for Royal were Lesly Martinez at 165 pounds and Samantha Spalding at 198.

Martinez's splits were 205 squat, 115 bench and 240 dead for 555 total. Spalding's splits were 215 squat, 130 bench and 255 dead for 600 total.

Guillermo Navarro of the Knights was third at 181. He had splits of 300 squat, 235 bench and 355 dead for 890.

Tony Mercado took third at 198. He lifted 385 squat, 270 bench and 425 dead for a total of 1,080.

Derek Alatorre was fifth at 198 with lifts of 335 squat, 205 bench and 405 dead lift for 945 total.

Juan Garcia was fifth at unlimited. He had splits of 405 squat, 245 bench and 405 dead for a total of 1,055.

"They all did great, and we are all proud of the tremendous efforts they and all the lifters from the other schools put forth," Royal coach Paul Olsufka said.

Desert Oasis High School in Othello sent five lifters. Their results were: Maria Aubrey, champion, 105; Justis Garcia, fourth, 123; Jose Jimenez, second, 148; Miguel Flores, third, 148; Sanjuanita Garza second, 97.