The Burton Panthers competed in the Regional Powerlifting Meet for 1A/2AA Region 4 in Navasota. The Panthers were represented by Hunter Duffy (Sr.), Andrew Gonzales (So.), Zach Purvis (So.), and Brandon Strickland (Fr.).
Brandon Strickland, in his first year as a powerlifter, advanced to Regionals by capturing the 12th qualifying spot in the 148 with a 920 combined lift. By the end of the regional meet, Strickland had risen to 9th place overall on the strength of a 955 lb combined lift.
Zach Purvis, in his second year as a powerlifter, advanced to the Regional meet for the second year in a row by capturing the 5th qualifying spot with an 820 combined lift. Entering the third and final lift, deadlift, Purvis had maneuvered himself into contention for a state qualifying spot, but was ultimately unsuccessful. However, the sophomore finished 4th overall with an 830 combined lift, topping last year's placing and combined lift by 65 pounds.
Andrew Gonzales, also in his second year, found himself in a new weight class. Lifting in the 132 class, Gonzales advanced to the Regional meet for consecutive years by capturing the fifth qualifying spot. Through a series of personal best lifts, Gonzales elevated himself to 4th place overall with a 910 combined lift, a 145-pound improvement over last year.
Hunter Duffy, the team's lone upperclassman and graduating senior, made the Regional Meet for the fourth consecutive year. In addition to this qualifying feat, Duffy has accomplished repeated trips to regionals by earning berths in a total of five consecutive weight classes. As a freshman, he qualified for Regionals in the 114 class, placing 5th and earning a medal with a combined lift of 585. As a sophomore, he qualified in the 123 class, placing 5th to capture a medal with a 745 combined lift. Last year, as a junior, Duffy earned his annual regional trip in the 132 class, where he placed 5th to medal with a combined lift of 965. This year, the senior qualified in both the 148 and 165 weight classes. Duffy elected to compete in the 148 class, marking four consecutive appearances in four consecutive weight classes. As a capstone to an exceptional powerlifting career, Duffy captured 3rd place on the back of a 1110 combined lift, his best showing as a 148, to earn his final high school powerlifting medal.