It might have only been the opening meet of the 2012 powerlifting season, but it was the status quo for the Center Roughriders as they claimed their eighth straight invitational title by taking first-place honors at the Hemphill Invitational Powerlifting Meet Saturday.
Led by first-place finishers K.J. Garrett, Kias Cooper and Aaron Liker, the Roughriders grabbed three first-place finishes, a pair of seconds, three third-place finishes and two fourth spots.
Center's Liker claimed top honors in the 242-lb. division with a total weight of 1,325 pounds, while Garrett won the 181-lb. class with 1,155 pounds and Cooper won the 114-lb. class with 710 pounds.
Finishing second for the Roughriders included Garrett Stanley in the 165-lb. class with a weight of 1,000 pounds and Kiounis Williams in the 198-lb. class with 1,115 total pounds.
Posting third-place finishes were Edgar Sanchez in the 132-lb. class with 715 pounds, Nathan Sears in the 198-lb. class and Javaris Rankin in the 275-lb. class with 1,135 total pounds.
Center's Drew Diverdi placed fourth in the 181-lb. class with 980 pounds, while Derrick Thomas placed fourth in the 220-lb. class with 1,060 pounds.
Johnny Shaw placed sixth in the 181-lb. class with 925 pounds, DaVincent Hoyt came in ninth in the 220-lb. class with 940 pounds and Mackenzie Dockens earned 10th in the 198-lb class with 730 pounds.
Center will next host their annual invitational meet on Thursday, Feb. 2, beginning at 4 p.m. in Roughrider Gymnasium.