Estridge competes at regionals

By Kathy Thomson

Albany High junior Wesley Estridge competed in the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Region 1, Division 3 Championships in Sundown last Saturday, but did not advance to state.

The initial event was the squat, followed by bench press, and then dead lift.

Estridge was successful in his attempt of 700 pounds in his squat. He improved the score on his second attempt, matching his personal meet record of 710 for the squat. 

However, he was unable to tie his personal best of 405 in bench press.

“He just had an off day,” said his mother Val. “He made three attempts at 405 and just couldn’t get it, so we bowed out at that point. There was no sense in Wesley continuing and possibly hurting himself, since he wouldn’t be able to advance.”

Although only seven super heavy weight Division 3 contestants across the entire state of Texas were able to record a total lift higher than the 1570 Estridge lifted at two other meets this season, he had to be one of the top two in his region or lift a total of at least 1600 at the regional meet in order to advance to state.

The top two lifters in the state are also in Region 1, so the Albany junior knew going in that he needed to come up with a total of 1600 to be assured of advancing.

Powerlifters are allowed up to three attempts on each lift. 

If they do not complete a lift on any of the apparatus, they are considered to have “Bombed Out” and receive a score of zero on the lift and as a total score.

Estridge’s top lifts in each event this year were 710 in squat and 475 in dead lift at the Greenwood meet, and a 405 bench press in Hawley.

He plans to compete in the sport again his senior year.