Longtime coach Greg Hale has built a dynasty at Bradford High School in the sport of powerlifting. One look inside the Bradford weight room with all of the trophies displayed – many state championship trophies – is proof of just how successful the powerlifting program has been over the years.
Now Greg’s son Curt, who was a powerlifting state champion himself while in high school, is helping develop the kids.
And the tradition of success continues under the Hale family tutelage as the Bradford girls claimed yet another state title on Saturday. The Lady Railroaders compiled 5,385 pounds – bettering runner-up Madison Plains by 280 pounds.
Bradford accumulated 2,385 pounds in the lightweight classes, which was second to Fairland, but dominated the heavyweight classes with 3,000 total pounds.
GIRLS TOP EIGHT PLACERS:
2nd Place – Sarah Beckstedt – 195 lbs. – 730 total pounds
2nd Place – Bella Brewer – 175 lbs. – 685 total pounds
2nd Place – Remi Harleman – Unlimited – 850 total pounds
2nd Place – Shayleigh Swick – 115 lbs. – 605 total pounds
4th Place – Isabella Boyer – 135 lbs. – 585 total pounds
4th Place – Zoe Brewer – 145 lbs. – 620 total pounds
5th Place – Jenna Shellabarger – 125 lbs. – 575
5th Place – Rebecca Sowers – Unlimited – 735 total pounds
7th Place – Addison Miller – 115 lbs. – 360 total pounds
8th Place – Mackenzy Hemmelgarn – 115 lbs. – 355 total pounds
8th Place – Emma Smith – 155 lbs. – 510 total pounds
8th Place – Destiny Clark – 175 lbs. – 480 total pounds
The Bradford boys finished sixth as a team with a total weight of 9,235 pounds and had an individual state champion in Josh Derstine, who won the 125 pounds class by lifting a total of 845 pounds. He had the highest lifting total in each of the three lifts – 350 lb. squat, 175 lb. bench, 320 lb. deadlift.
Brick Burgett finished runner-up at 125 pounds by accumulating a total of 725 pounds in his three lifts, while Garrett Trevino was runner-up in the 145 pound weight class with total lifts of 985 pounds.
BOYS TOP EIGHT PLACERS:
1st – Josh Derstine – 125 lbs. – 845 total pounds
2nd – Brick Burgett – 125 lbs. – 725 total pounds
2nd – Garrett Trevino – 145 lbs. – 985 total pounds
3rd – Keaton Mead – 165 lbs. – 1130 total pounds
3rd – Ben Kitts – 155 lbs. – 995 total pounds
5th – Patrick Puthoff – 125 lbs. – 615 total pounds
