Gator bait: Triplett sets the tone for Gautier's 4-5A title
Gautier's boys powerlifting team has been one of the most consistent on the Coast in recent years. Last weekend, the Gators claimed their third Region 4-5A title in four years, tying a region record with 59 points.
"I have some pretty good guys," coach Richard Crosby Jr. said. "Our bigger lifters are really good and set the tone for us."
Hattiesburg (28), Long Beach (19), Pascagoula (27), Pearl River Central (48), Stone (14) and West Harrison (6) rounded out the standings.
Gautier was aided by three individual region records falling.
John Triplett's 1,485-pound weight total eclipsed the previous mark of 1,450. He also set a new bench press mark with 340 pounds, topping the previous mark by 15 pounds.
Teammate Cameron Williams' 650-pound squat beat the previous best of 630 pounds.
Crosby said Triplett is one of the top lifters in the state. Triplett, who weighs 255 pounds and competes in the 275-pound class, sets the mark for Gautier's team with his tireless work ethic.
"He had a really good day. He works hard. He works a job and closes most nights of the week. He gets off at 1 a.m., sometimes 2 a.m., and will turn around to be at the gym to lift weights at 6 a.m.," Crosby said. "His mentality. Once we get into the meet. He says a prayer, "Lord just take over my body.' His work ethic shines through in the meets."
Winners
Hattiesburg's Mike Jones won the 114-pound weight class; Gautier's Wayne Washington won the 123-pound class; Long Beach's Noah Lacap took first in the 132-pound class; Hattiesburg's Tremaine Berry won in the 148-pound class; William Beverly won in convincing fashion in the 165-pound class, as did teammate DeAndre Torre in the 181-pound class; Pearl River Central's Hunter Holifield (198), David Salser (220) and Dylan Van Kregten (242) all won; Gautier's Triplett (275), Justin Scott (308) and Cameron Williams (308-plus) rounded out the day's winners.
The top three finishers in each class qualified for the South State meet, which Gautier is hosting March 5 at the Singing River Academy gym.
Weigh-in begins at 11 a.m.
This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Gator bait: Triplett sets the tone for Gautier's 4-5A title ."