re: Anybody care to speculate?

Publication:Eldorado News Times; Date:Apr 5, 2009; Section:Sports; Page Number:11


Junction City wins state weightlifting crown

RUSSELLVILLE – Regardless of where or who it's competing against, Junction City knows how and expects to win.

Saturday at the state weightlifting meet Junction City only added to that reputation.

Behind stellar performances by Demarcus Kemp, Grantel Kennedy, and Byran Jones the Dragons won both the Class 2A and overall state weightlifting championships.

"We had a great day," said a jubi lant David Carpenter. "The young men got out there and just took care of business. They did well and we’re all very happy about winning another state title."

On a team which had several out standing performances, Kemp had the best day. He finished first in the 132 pound division as he broke three state records. Ironically, all of which he already owned.

He lifted 290 in the bench which was 20 pounds more than his pre vious state record. In the power clean Kemp maxed out at 250, which surpassed the former record by 10 pounds. He totaled out at 540 pounds the former top mark was 525.

Kennedy performed well in the 220 pound division.

The senior topped out at 370 in the bench, 295 in the power clean and had a total of 655 which set a state record.

As for Jones, he represented Junction City very well in the heavy weight division.

He had a bench press of 390 pounds, set a state record in the power clean with a lift of 330 pounds and he had a total of 720.

Other lifters were Damian Clark, Hayden Smith, Sam Thurlkill, Paris Nelson, Alan Turner, Denzel Hayes, and Deverrick Wright. The alternates were Laney Bryan, Dustin Howell, Ashley Bailey, Jacob Thurlkill, Justin Cole, and Devin Ball.

For Junction City, this is its third consecutive Class 2A state weightlifting crown and the second time in three years it has won the overall state championship.

"They did what we thought they would do," said Carpenter. "We had everything planned on how we were going to do things and it went as expected. So we’re very happy with how they did."





Just hard for me to think money in NWA gives our kids up here any benefit....something is missing up here and I think it's the competition and only competing with 16 teams for a state title.