Powerlifters prepare for regional meet

The Kasson-Mantorville powerlifting team competed at regional meet at Holmen High School on Saturday as part of a Wisconsin state and regional meet. The meet featured 260 lifters competing from 16 different schools as it was the final stop before the USAPL qualifying meet next weekend at LaCrosse Central (Wis.) High School.

“This was the biggest meet that we have competed in so far,” Powerlifting coach Cori Ronnenberg observed. “We got to compete with some of the best high school lifters in the nation.”

Out of the field, nine of K-M’s ten lifters placed in the top five of their respective weight class. While several of them will compete in next weekend’s meet, this tune-up seemed to bode well for their fortunes.

Alex McElmury competed in the 123 pound JV class and squatted 275 pounds, benched 130 and deadlifted 325 for a total of 730 pounds. He placed first and defeated the runner up in the competition by 250 pounds. He also improved his total by 30 pounds.

In the 132 pound JV class, Jake Pederson squatted 165 pounds, benched 100 and deadlifted 265 for a total of 530 pounds. His total was good for second place in the class.

Quinn Zipse and Nick Westphal lifted in the 148 pound JV class. Zipse squatted 170 pounds, benched 105 and dead