The Natchez powerlifting team won the Region 3, District 6 powerlifting meet last Saturday.

The meet was hosted by Clinton High School at Sumner Hill Junior High, and the Bulldogs beat out a field of contenders from Clinton, Vicksburg, Warren Central and Greenvillie-Wesson.

By finishing first in the district, the 11 members of the team will advance to compete in the South State tournament in Hattiesburg March 3.

“We went in with the intent of advancing 12, but we were only able to advance 11,” Natchez High power lifting coach Joseph Johnson said.

He said despite his team finishing short of their goal he was very pleased with his team’s performance.

Only the top three finishers in each weight class advanced, and the Bulldogs finished as follows: Gerald Woods finished second in the 114 pound weight class, Joseph Stevens finished second in the 123 pound weight class, Roderick Allen finished second in the 132 pound weight class, Willie Newman finished second in the 148 pound weight class, Jarrett Ealey finished first in the 165 pound weight class, Callon Green finished first in the 181 pound weight class, Casey Barber finished third in the 198 pound weight class, Johnny Griffin finished first in the 220 pound weight class, Danny Thompson finished first in the 242 pound weight class, Keith Dee finished second in the 275 pound weight class and Chad Smith finished fourth in the 242 pound weight class.

“Eleven out of 12 is outstanding. We are looking forward to going to South State and repeating the same results,” Johnson said. “This team will surpass all the others.”