After qualifying at seasonal meets, several members of Marietta High School’s powerlifting team competed in the state powerlifting meet, held at El Reno High School on Saturday, March 13.

The team was represented by sophomores Draden Reynolds, Dakota Gilley, Kaden Dudley, and Titus Higle and freshmen Graicee Hicks, Yesenia Salazar, and Edward Hill.

The state meet was a learning experience for the youngsters.

One of the highest-placing Indians, Titus Higle finished in seventh place in the 132-pound weight division. Higle squatted 300 pounds, bench pressed 180 pounds, and dead lifted 330 pounds for a total of 810 pounds.

“I believe our team did well considering that we had never been to a meet of that size and we were all under-classmen,” said Higle. “Our team is proud of being the first Marietta Powerlifting team under coaches Doby and Keaton. We will have many freshmen coming up next year who will be joining us, and we are striving to achieve runner-up and champion plaques at next year’s meets.”

Higle also expressed his gratitude to the sponsors of the football program for their donations, some of which were used to purchase new racks and weights.

“The new equipment will help us immeasurably with future competitions,” Higle added.

Head Coach Alex Doby voiced his pride in his qualifiers.

“We have had tremendous growth in the weight room,” he said. “This year we had five boys and two girls qualify for state. Our team is young, but tough, strong, and hard-working. They competed well and it was a learning experience. Graicee and Yesenia, especially, set a high standard by competing in the state meet. The program has created a ton of buzz and it will have a huge increase in athletes next year.”