POWER: Lady Rider lifters finish season strong
best 580 pounds in the 123-lb. class Saturday to place sixth at
the Class 3A Region III Powerlifting Meet held in Forney. She
represented Center, along with Jessica Williams.
A pair of Center Lady Rider powerlifters qualified for the Class 3A Region III Meet in Forney on Saturday and, although they didn't earn a spot at the State Meet, they did come through with a pair of impressive performances.
Lady Rider freshman KaDijah Cooper equaled her best total lift at the Regional Meet in the 123-lb. Class. She qualified with a total lift of 580 pounds and equaled that on Saturday. Her total gave her a sixth-place finish, one place out of the medal round.
According to Lady Rider Powerlifting Coach Donna Shannon, Cooper struggled with her Squat lift, missing her first and third lifts, posting a best lift of 210 for the meet on the second try. She missed her personal best on the lift by 10 pounds (220 lbs.).
In the Bench Press, Cooper matched her personal best with 110 pounds and she set a new personal record in the Deadlift with 260 pounds.
The freshman missed advancing to State by three positions (1st through 3rd qualify) and 650 pounds was the weight which qualified for the State Meet.
"KaDijah, or Super Coop as we call her, was so close and I was proud of her effort," Shannon stated. "She struggled with the squat early on, but really did well overall."
Center sophomore Jessica Williams qualified for the Region III meet with 660 total pounds in 220-lb. Class. She topped that weight, posting 670 total pounds on Saturday to place ninth overall.
Williams set a new personal record with her total weight and the Deadlift, as she lifted 290 pounds. She matched her personal best in the Bench Press with 130 pounds.
With a 260-lb. personal best in the Squat, she was only able to lift 250 pounds.
"Jessica didn't struggle with the Squat, she just couldn't lift the weight on this day," Shannon stated. "She has a lot of determination and already wants to focus on next year, with is great since she is only a sophomore."
Shannon said the work ethic of the entire Lady Rider powerlifting team was outstanding this season.
"With a squad made up of only sophomores and freshmen, this year was a mere preview of what is to come," the coach explained. "I am truly blessed with this group of girls. They have a strong work ethic, determination and a lot of fight in them. It is definitely a symbiotic relationship I have with them. The harder I see them work the harder I work to try to get them to the next level. It's been a great experience this season."