K-M competes at Whitehall meet

The Kasson-Mantorville powerlifting team competed in the Whitehall High School State Qualifying Meet on February 27. The meet was a large one as 18 different schools participated with a total of 180 lifters. Even though all lifters competed at the varsity level, K-M was able to hold its own.

The KoMets had two girls competing as Maddy Bendickson (123 pounds) and Olivia Fratianni (148 pounds) made their debut. Bendickson finished third overall with a three lift total of 435 pounds and Fratianni successfully got all nine lifts up while finishing ninth with a total of 460 pounds.

Jake Pederson and Quinn Zipse both competed in the 148-pound class for K-M and both had solid performances. Pederson was able to finish 7th in the class with a three lift total of 580 pounds and Zipse finished eighth with a total of 550 pounds.

Nick Westphal also competed in the 148-pound class and didn’t place in the competition. However, he had a solid performance with a total of 380 pounds including a 120-pound squat, 75-pound bench and a 185 pound deadlift.

Trenton Krueger hit the 900-pound mark for the first time this season as he competed in the 165-pound class. His total of 915 pounds was good for fifth and also had a personal record with a 385-pound squat.

Billy Buehler participated in the 181-pound weight class and improved his deadlift by 30 pounds (345 pounds). His three lift total of 775 pounds didn’t place, but was still a solid effort.

Aaron Vaith had a strong performance in the 198-pound weight class as he finished second with a three lift total of 1,180 pounds.

Collin Johnson participated in the 220-pound junior class with a three lift total of 870 pounds and set personal records with a 315-pound squat and a 185-pound bench.