The Farmersville boys powerlifting team qualified four lifters for the THSPA state meet. Courtesy Christopher Anderson

By David Wolman

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Four powerlifters from Farmersville have qualified for the Texas High School Powerlifting Association state meet.

Conner Bakken had one of the best performances of any lifter at Decatur. He broke four regional records in the 123-pound weight division: squat (475 pounds), bench press (310), deadlift (455) and total (1,245). Bakken won first place.

Bryson Helms, Noah James and Vicente Luna also earned berths in the state meet. Helms placed third in the 123-pound weight class with a 950-pound total. James earned bronze at 148 pounds with a total weight lifted of 1,200 pounds. Luna took third at 198 pounds with a 1,425-pound total.

Overall, six Farmers medaled at the regional meet. James Rivera earned the bronze medal in the 114-pound weight class with a 790-pound total. Jayden Matthews finished just behind Rivera in fourth place at 114 pounds with a total weight lifted of 765 pounds.

Other lifters who finished in the top 10 of their weight classes were Leland Cortez (1,220-pound total in the 165-pound weight class), Antony Rivera (1,170-pound total at 165 pounds), Laith Meeks (1,250-pound total at 181 pounds), Logan Gournay (1,350-pound total at 220 pounds) and Landen Herrera (1,280-pound total at 220 pounds).

Cole Tyler finished 12th at 165 pounds with a 1,115-pound total.

Farmersville brought home a team trophy from the regional meet for the third consecutive season as the Farmers placed second with 21 total team points at the Class 4A Region 6 meet at Decatur High School on Friday.

“I am very proud of this team,” head coach Christopher Anderson said. “We were overall a really young team and for them to mature, learn to work hard, and support each other throughout the season, it was great to see that hard work pay off for them.

“The credit goes to the captains of the team, the support from our administration and our community, and the young guys setting goals this season and working to accomplish them.”