Cougars win 2A, overall powerlifting championship

Escambia Academy won the AISA Class 2A and overall state powerlifting championship Feb. 18 at Pickens Academy.

With this victory, this is the fifth overall powerlifting title that the Cougars have won in the last seven years.

EA coach Hugh Fountain said this is a special championship because it’s a one-day competition, and added that the necessity of having everyone available for the tournament is huge.

Fountain said the reason why numbers matter is because another team at the competition could acquire points from the team.

“To me, the one-day deal, in a lot of ways, is like track,” he said. “It’s also like football. Everything comes down to one day. If you’re performing, it’s all good.”

EA’s Chase Bell won the men’s overall lightweight title.

The following is how EA finished in each weight class in the men’s division:

• 81 pounds — Shawnton Riley, first place

• 98 pounds — Samorion Clark, second place; and Jaiden Santiago, third place tie

• 114 pounds — Orlando Medina, first place; and Joshua Spruill, third place

• 132 pounds — Brandon Gulsby, first place; and Matthew Brittingham, second place

• 140 pounds — Bell, first place

• 148 pounds — Ty Williams, second place

• 165 pounds — Shannon Wheat, first place

• 175 pounds — Tyrese Smith, second place

• 181 pounds — Hunter Smith, third place

• 205 pounds — Patrick McGhee, second place

• 232 pounds — Jason Davis, first place

• 258 pounds — Troy Fountain, third place

• 275 pounds — Chris Long, second place

• MSHW — Tyler Newton, second place