Llano High School powerlifters Taylor Tibbs and Michael Logan made the community proud with their performances at the Region 2 Division 3 meet March 8 at West High School.
Tibbs was eighth in the 198-pound weight division thanks to a squat of 480 pounds, a bench press of 325 pounds, and a dead lift of 525 pounds for a total of 1,330 pounds.
Head coach Joe Kennedy noted Tibbs made the most of his time in the program.
"He always had an interest in powerlifting," he said. "He got involved a lot his sophomore year and approached me his junior year. He took to the outlet or escape of training, especially with heavy weights. He set a personal record almost every time he competed. He was truly outstanding."
Logan finished 10th in the 242-pound weight division by squatting 465 pounds, bench pressing 330 pounds, and dead lifting 430 pounds for a total of 1,225 pounds.
Logan was in the program all four years, was a two-time regional qualifier, and an alternate another year.
"He made a commitment, not just to his training but to his teammates on his approach and willingess to compete," Kennedy said. "He competed against himself and increased those totals. What I appreciate the most is his competitiveness."
Though they didn't compete, Landon Morrison was an alternate in the 123-pound division and finished his season ranked No. 10, while Cason Stephenson was an alternate in the 242-pound division and was ranked No. 11. They made the trip in case a lifter ranked ahead of them was unable to compete.
Kennedy believes powerlifting is as competitive as the other sports across the state thanks to athletes who know how to train, coaches who know how to get the best out of them, and programs that commit to assisting athletes to be at their utmost.
He calls powerlifting next level strength training athletes use to help them in other sports.
"It doesn't hurt other sports or other activities," he said. "Powerlifting is masters level strength training."
