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Hard work pays off. This was true this past Saturday, when Stephanie Mayo won a medal at the weightlifting state finals. Mayo had a 155 pound bench press and a 160 pound clean and jerk. The 315 pound total clinched 6th place in her weight class (medals are awarded to the top 6 lifters in each weight class). Mayo was the only person, boy or girl, not to miss a summer workout and that dedication paid off Saturday. Hali Smith, Serena Bradford, KK Beauchamp, Carrie Tucker, Shannon Hall, Mallory Basford and Dakota Varnum all fought hard and represented the school with class. Freshman Hali Smith had a solid performance with a 95 pound bench press and a 95 pound clean and jerk. KK struggled at the meet on Saturday, but still has two years left to get a state medal. Beauchamp has now qualified for the state final two times in two tries. She is also a two time section champ. Carrie Tucker was 3 for 3 Saturday in the bench press lifting 135 pounds on her third attempt. Carrie just missed the jerk on 135 and finished with a 260 pound total. Carrie was the section 2 champion in the 119 pound class this year. Carrie will continue to improve in the weightroom, and go after a state medal next year as a senior. Senior Shannon Hall gave a great effort as well at the state final. Shannon was the section 2 champion in the 139 pound class. She will be missed greatly next year. Seventh grader Serena Bradford shows tremendous potential for the future. Serena had a 150 pound bench press and 135 pound clean and jerk in the state finals. She reminds me a lot of former state champion Ashlee Cain. Junior Mallory Basford lifted hard but never got on track in the clean and jerk. Mallory bench pressed 130 pounds. Mallory still has a year left and will continue to get better. Dakota Varnum finished the meet with a 170 pound bench press and a 120 pound clean and jerk. The 290 was not what Dakota was wanting, but with two years of lifting still in front of her, the future is bright. The girls had a great season this year. It was our 4th year going undefeated, we won the team trophy at the Cougar Challenge, we had five Section 2 champions, 8 state qualifiers, and a state medalist. We will only be losing 2 girls this year to graduation. On paper, next years' team should be the best we've ever had here at AHS. I'd like to thank everyone who supported me and the girls this year. I would also like to thank the girls who lifted this year. You all made me proud. Most people don't understand what these girls go through to get to lift at a high level. It is not a glamorous sport. This years' team paid their dues with countless hours of lifting and should be proud of what they have accomplished.
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