JACKSON – The Bogue Chitto Bobcats got a pair of first places from Jermaine Blackwell and Jeremy Blackwell but they had to settle for the runners-up spot in MHSAA Class 1A State Powerlifting Championship. Pelahatchie and Bogue Chitto tied for first place with 39 points but the Chiefs were awarded the state championship because they won three first places.

“I am proud of our guys and their effort,” said BC powerlifting coach Chad Norton. “Almost all of them set personal best for their overall totals.

“Unfortunately, we had three guys each miss a lift that could have give us the championship,” Norton added. “All three of them completed their lift but just had a technical error, scratching their lift.”

Jeremy Blackwell set a Class 1A state record with a 600-pound deadlift. He also lifted 560 in the squat and 270 in the bench press to win his 308 weight division.

Jermaine Blackwell, entered in the 242-pound weight division, had a 385 squat, a 230 bench and a 500 deadlift.

The Bobcats got second places from Kobe Roberts, Robert Bonds and Damein Terrell.

Norton had to replace five members off the 2012 state championship squad. He said, “I am extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish this year: capturing a fourth straight region and South State title.

“We are only losing one senior so we should be back in the hunt for another championship next year, if our team stays together and continues to put in the effort.”