Three individual championships and several high placings catapulted the Durant High powerlifting team to the large school team title in the McAlester Buffalo Invitational last week.
The Lions racked up 278 points while scoring points with at least one Top 10 finish in every weight division to easily outdistance runner-up Broken Bow, which posted a score of 201.
Durant’s first individual crown came at 132 pounds where Ethan King claimed the title with a three lift tally of 790 pounds with a 290 in squat, 175 on the bench and 325 in the deadlift. Teammate Owen Madison was just behind in that division, checking in third with a total lift of 785 pounds (290 squat, 180 bench, 315 deadlift).
The Lions rolled up big points at 168 pounds with Conley Tiffie taking home the championship by posting 1175 total pounds, including 460 in squat, 255 on bench and 460 in deadlift. Stephen Manhard was runner-up with a combined sum of 1145 pounds (425 squat, 205 bench, 515 deadlift) with Colton Poore ending sixth with a total of 855 pounds (285 squat, 185 bench, 385 deadlift).
Jaxon Cuesta was the other Durant titlist in the 220-pound category by scoring 1250 pounds in his three lifts with 485 coming in squat, 295 on bench and 470 in the deadlift. Jacob Jones checked in ninth in that division with a tally of 1020 pounds (365 squat, 225 bench, 430 deadlift).
The Lions captured runnerup honors at 198, 242 and 275 pounds as well.
Axel Thurman led the charge at 198 with a second place total of 1380 pounds (500 squat, 340 bench, 540 deadlift) while Maddox Arnold added ninth at 1020 combined pounds (400 squat, 210 bench, 410 deadlift) and Hunter Romero checked in 10th with 1015 pounds (365 squat, 240 bench, 410 deadlift).
At 242 pounds, Jayden Rangel racked up a three-lift tally of 1350 pounds (470 squat, 280 bench, 600 deadlift) in capturing second place as teammate Colton Yarbrough ended eighth with a score of 1125 (385 squat, 245 bench, 495 deadlift).
Grant Bull took home runner- up honors at 275 pounds as well with a 1350 pound total (525 squat, 320 bench, 505 deadlift) while Blake Auldridge posted a third place mark of 1235 pounds (475 squat, 250 bench, 510 deadlift).
The Lions had a trio of placers in the 123-pound division fueled by Shajen Davis’ third place tally of 700 pounds (215 squat, 170 bench, 315 deadlift). Chris Beccara took seventh with 465 pounds (155 squat, 110 bench, 200 deadlift) and Ethan Garcia was eighth in a total of 320 pounds (95 squat, 70 bench, 155 deadlift).
Brodi Payne was also a third place medalist in spurring the 181-pound class as he posted 1080 total pounds (415 squat, 255 bench, 410 deadlift) as Caiden Pepperman recorded a fifth place mark of 980 pounds (370 squat, 210 bench, 400 deadlift).
Rounding out the Durant placers were Jahir Asencio, eighth at 157 pounds with a total of 790 (285 squat, 190 bench, 315 deadlift); Jastin Stepp, ninth at heavyweight with 1090 total pounds (405 squat, 250 bench, 435 deadlift); and Jayse Battiest, 10th at 145 pounds with a three-lift tally of 660 pounds (240 squat, 140 bench, 280 deadlift).
The Lady Lion squad posted 30 points in its competition at McAlester, scoring in four of the divisions.
Leading the way at 150 pounds was Daryan Eubanks, who claimed second place with a tally of 570 pounds (210 squat, 85 bench, 275 deadlift).
At 165 pounds, Emma Gardner wrapped up sixth by notching 605 total pounds (225 squat, 120 bench, 260 deadlift). Lindsey Brewer claimed seventh at heavyweight with a three-lift combination of 670 pounds (270 squat, 115 bench, 285 deadlift) while Kyla Cox checked in 10th in the 220-pound division with a total of 495 pounds (170 squat, 110 bench, 215 deadlift).
Durant’s next outing comes in the Tishomingo Meet on Friday, February 21.