Powerlifting team finds success at Midland Invite

Twelve Summerland powerlifters traveled to Midland University in Fremont, Feb. 8, for the Midland Warrior High School powerlifting Invitational.

Coach Jeff Shabram said it was a good-sized meet, with 64 lifters competing.

"With a lineup of excellent competition from Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa, the Bobcat lifters competed very well and did an excellent job in representing our school and communities," the coach said.

Summerland earned top honors in overall boys' team scoring. Columbus finished second; Hamlin, South Dakota, third; Columbus Scotus, fourth and there was a two-way tie for fifth place between North Bend, Shelby-Rising City, Yutan and Sidney, Iowa.

Summerland's coed team finished in second place, while Columbus claimed the top spot.

Columbus Scotus finished third and Hamlin, fourth.

Columbus claimed the girls' team title. Columbus Scotus ended second; Summerland, third; Gretna, fourth and Hamlin, fifth.

Three Summerland lifters earned gold medals.

Wyatt Shabram topped the 114-pound class; Trevor Thomson, 165-pound division and Savanna Ferris, 148-pound class.

Four lifters earned silver medals, including Anthony Ferris, 114; Cash Wickersham, 123; Jacob Behnk, 220 and Riley Fisher, 275.

Bronze medals came home with Connor Thomson, 114; Cody Wickersham, 132; Gaven Gilsdorf, 181 and Anthony Umphress, 198.

Gunnar Shabram finished in fourth place in the181-pound division.

All 12 lifters competed hard and set numerous personal bests, according to Shabram.

The next powerlifting meet will be the Class D State Meet, Friday, March 27, at Harvard High School.

Shabram said the team will not attend the March 7 meet at Omaha South, as listed on the school calendar.

The Orchard AAU powerlifting Meet is set for April 4.

The final competition of the season will be July 18, at the Cornhusker State Games powerlifting Meet.