For the second year in a row the Clarkston powerlifters took third place at the state meet on March 18 in Goodrich.
‘My whole focus is to have the team peak at the state meet,? Clarkston Coach Chad Looper said.
Plainwell won the state title as they have every year since 2000. The Plainwell powerlifting program has also been crowned national champions during that span.
Flint Powers, who like Plainwell features significantly more lifters then Clarkston, took second place.
‘We did really good. We finished third. Tons of guys stepped it up at the state meet,? Clarkston senior Steve McIsaac said.
McIsaac did exceptional as he broke all three of his own state records at the finals on his way to a second straight individual state championship. His state record setting, three-event total was just over 3/4 of a ton at 1,525 pounds. He also reset the state squat record with a lift of 585 pounds and raised the bar in the deadlift with 635 pounds. His previous marks were a squat of 560 pounds, a deadlift of 630 and a total weight of 1,475.
The Wolves? Steve Soeder also laid claim to an individual state championship in the 150-pound division with a total weight of 1,010. He ended up in a tie for first, but won the title due to having a lower body weight than his competition.
Other individual performances helping Clarkston reach the podium were Nick Sorise who finished in third place in the 165-pound division and Casey Dreselhouse who took third in the 194-pound class.
Also scoring points for Clarkston were Spencer Stege (132-pounds) who finished sixth in the state, Devere Enoch (220) who took fifth, George McArthur (181, ninth) and Brad Nettle (165, ninth).
Though replacing a lifter like McIsaac will be impossible, Looper is optimistic about the team’s chances next year.
‘We’ve built a reputation, what we’ve established will carry over to next season,? Looper said.
Looper also thinks a change in the high school powerlifting rules ratified by the coaches will help the Wolves program as well.
Next year powerlifting will go back to ‘lifting raw,? as support suits which can add anywhere from 10-40 pounds to lifts are cast out of the gym.
‘I think it will be a good idea. It will level the playing field,? Looper said.
Looper voted for the change at the coaches meeting.