For Immediate Release
The North Platte High School IronDawgs made the four-hour trek to Creighton Prep on Saturday for the annual Early Bird meet. Twenty North Platte lifters participated in the squat, bench press, and deadlift against more than 150 other lifters. The IronDawgs came home with thirteen medalists, including two champions.
Coach Arttie Parker praised his team's efforts, from top to bottom of the roster.
"We knew coming into this meet that we would be without two of our returning Nationals lifters, as Myah Porter and Aadyn Smith are both recovering from injuries. This is always a fun, competitive meet, as it gives the new athletes a taste of what a full gym of strong athletes feels like, and it gives the seasoned kids a chance to square off against kids they will be facing at the state tournament and USAPL events. I'm very proud of how these kids came in, challenged themselves, pushed their limits, and competed," he said.
On the girls' side, medalists were led by Grace Wilke, who left Creighton as the champion in her weight division. Other medalists were Abbie Hankla and Katie Titus, who both finished second, Gabby Gartner, Karly Knapp, Jayden McBeain, and Adyson Stroud, who each took home third-place medals, and Carlie Berliner, who placed fifth. For the boys, Charlie Fonseca took home the gold at 198 pounds, while teammates Bode Kroon (2nd), Cole Tomlinson (3rd), Mason Stine (4th), and Zane Gilbert (5th) also medaled. A handful of lifters will be lifting in two weeks in Lexington at a USAPL meet, as they attempt to punch their ticket to the Nationals tournament, which will be held in Killeen, Texas, in March.
The team will be off for the holidays before returning to competition at the State USAPL tournament in Lincoln in January.