The results are in from the regional powerlifting meet held in Olive Branch at Lewisburg High School on Saturday, and North Pontotoc High is the Region 1-4A Champions ... it’s first 4A title in any sport since the school reached the 4A classification this year.

The Vikings (43) finished ahead of second place Itawamba (38), third place Pontotoc (37), fourth place New Albany (36), fifth place Lewisburg (31) and sixth place Tishomingo County (12).

The individual scoring totals are compiled from their best lift in each of three events; the squat, the bench press and the deadlift. In the event of a tie, the medal goes to the lighter lifter.

The top three in each class has qualified for the 4A North State Meet.

The Vikings

The champion North Pontotoc Vikings had four lifters to finish in first place of their weight class, one in second place and two more in third place:

• Junior Jacob Robbins (162.4 lbs.) finished first in the 165 lb. class with a total weight lift of 1,035 lbs.

• In the 220 lb. class, senior Chester Daniels finished first with a total weight lift of 1,315 lbs.

• With a total weight lifted of 1,340 lbs, junior Dee Senter finished first in the 275 lb. class.

• Sophomore Dillon Turner finished first with a total weight lift of 1,250 lbs. in the 308 lb. class.

• Senior Joe Robbins, with a total weight lift of 1,120 lbs., finished second in the 148 lb. class.

• In the 132 lb. class, sophomore Elvin Urbina finished third with a total weight lift of 845 lbs.

• Junior Brandon Webber took third place with a total weight lift of 1,110 lbs. in the 181 lb. class.

These seven North Pon-totoc Vikings will advance to the North State Meet to be held in Lexington at McClain High School on March 6.

Finishing just off the mark in fourth place of the 165 lb. class was senior Jon Wilgus with a total weight lift of 1,020 lbs. Dan Huddleston of Itawamba AHS — with the same total weight lift as Wilgus — was 4.8 lbs. lighter.

The Coach’s take

Viking head coach Steve Brown feels his charges were aided in the deadlift event where his student athletes excelled on Saturday.

“You can make big jumps sometimes in the deadlift,” Coach Brown said.

“Our young men did everything that they were asked to do, and did the best they could possibly do. I thank God for giving them the strength.

“Our guys had to come through at the end on those deadlifts to get the points for the team ... and they did.”

The Warriors

Pontotoc had two lifters to garner first place in their respective weight class, three in second and two in third place:

• In the 181 lb. class, junior Randall Crayton finished first with a total weight lift of 1,280 lbs.

• With a total weight lift of 1,450 lbs., sophomore Devonta Montgomery finished first in the 242 lb. class.

• Finishing second with a total weight lift of 685 lbs. was freshman Chase Miller in the 114 lb. class.

• In the 165 lb. class and finishing second was senior Ryan Hester (164 lbs.) with a total weight lift of 1,035 lbs.

• Sophomore Charlie Sorto, with a total weight lift of 1,190, finished second in the 275 lb. class.

• Freshman Kyle White finished third in the 123 lb. class with a total weight lift of 740 lbs.

• In the 220 lb. class and with a total weight lift of 1,245 lbs., senior Kelsey Traylor finished third.

Pontotoc’s seven medalists have also qualified for the North State Meet.

After scratching on his second squat attempt (230 lbs.), junior Chad Johnson came within 15 lbs. of finishing in third place in the 114 lb. class on Saturday.

The Coach’s take

The Pontotoc High Warrior squad is ladened with youth, but head coach Ben Ashley sees the possibility of greener grass just ahead.

“I thought we did really good Saturday,” Ashley said. “We went over there with nine freshmen and sophomores, so I felt like we did really good, and I think our youth bodes well for our future.”

Qualifiers at Lexington will travel to Jackson on April 17 for the MHSAA State Meet.