The Burton Panthers had a tremendous day at the recent AA Regional Powerlifting meet held at Colmesneil HS on Saturday, March 9. Senior Patrick Tavary entered the meet ranked 8th in the Region in the boys 308 weight class. In his last meet as a Panther, Tavary made several clutch lifts on the day to maintain his standing and close out his powerlifting career in the top 10. Junior Jackson Morey continued to show promise for the future in the 123 weight class. Entering the meet ranked 8th, Morey shattered his personal bests on both the squat and bench platforms to enter the deadlift contest ranked 5th. Unfortunately, Morey was nudged out of medal contention by fellow Panther teammate, Hunter Duffy, and finished the day 6th overall. In his second year with the team, Sophomore Hunter Duffy was determined to repeat last year's regional success. Entering the meet ranked 5th in the 123 weight class, Duffy suffered setbacks early in the meet and entered the deadlift contest in 7th place and outside of medal contention. The youngest Panther, undaunted, put forth his best effort of the day to match his season-best deadlift performance and finish the meet 5th overall, and gain a coveted medal for the second year in a row.
Making a name for himself all season long was another of Burton's first-year lifters, Junior Mark Odom. By his second meet, the 132 competitor announced his presence to the weight class by rising to the 1st place seed and holding onto it entering the regional meet. Odom started the day strong, with a personal best lift of 380 on the squat platform, before moving on to tie his season-best lift of 215 on the bench platform. As the deadlift contest started for the 132s, Odom had slid to 4th, but each of his three deadlift attempts moved him up the standings. With his last lift of the day, Odom set two personal records: 405 on the deadlift, a lift over three times his body weight, and a combined total of 1000 pounds, just five pounds shy of the regional record. This final lift also assured him a 1st place Regional finish in his weight class, along with a spot at the State Meet in Abilene.
Not to be outdone, Senior Keagan Fenner, was determined not to let the sun set on his powerlifting season. Like his younger teammate, Fenner entered the regional meet ranked 1st in the 242 weight class, but the experienced Panther had thoughts on his mind beyond making it to state. Deadlift. The regional record stood at 530 lbs. It was a number Fenner was very familiar with, as he was the one who set the previous year. He looked forward to breaking what he had already made. If anyone asked, he never had a doubt. Fenner had broken the record in every invitational this year, with his last lift before regionals a daunting 605. As the meet started, Fenner was in great form. His 585-pound squat was a personal best for himself and his weight class. A 310-pound bench press was also a personal best and gave him the lead going into the deadlift. But this was where Fenner had shined brightest all year; he knew he had to go big. And go big he did. For the 242s, a 1500-pound total is an automatic birth to state, regardless of placing. His second attempt of 605 had put him just five pounds shy of the mark. But the regional record for combined totals lay beyond 1500. The choice was easy. Load the bar with 580 pounds of plates, for a 625 pound deadlift and a 1520 pound combined total, both regional records. It took longer to load the weights than it did for Keagan Fenner to lift it. And just like that, Fenner had two regional records, and the Burton Panthers had two powerlifters going to state.
The Burton Panthers will lift in the Division 4 State Powerlifting Meet on Saturday, March 23rd at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. Bars loaded at 8:30 am. Spectator tickets can be purchased for $10 at https://www.taylorcountyexpocenter.com/
Mark Odom will lift in Flight 2 on Platform 6.
Keagan Fenner will lift in Flight 1 on Platform 8.