The Brookhaven High Panthers flexed their muscle to win the MHSAA Region 3-5A Powerlifting Meet for a fourth-straight year on Saturday in the event hosted by BHS at Alexander Junior High.

The 72 points put up by the Panthers was a region record, blasting them past second place Florence High with 35 points. North Pike, Provine and Natchez High rounded out the region field.

Brookhaven High powerlifting coach Russ Britt saw seven of his student-athletes finish in first place in their respective weight classes.

“I’m very proud of this group of guys,” said Britt. “They have been preparing for this since late November.”

Zach Moore won the 132-pound class with an 880-pound combined total in bench, squat, and deadlift. Ramierez Edwards won the 148-pound class with 965 combined pounds. Edwards also set a Region 3-5A deadlift record with a 505-pound lift. Kenan Quinn won the 165-pound class with a 965-pound combined total. Nathan Lewis won the 181-pound class for BHS with 1,215 combined pounds lifted. Sharpe Walker won the 198-pound class with a three-lift total of 1,170 combined pounds. Eric Williams won the 220-pound class by lifting 825 combined pounds and Tay Drummond was the first placed finisher in the 242-pound class with 1,180 pounds lifted.

Quinn, Lewis, Walker, and Drummond are part of a large group of first-year lifters for the Panthers. Also new to the team this season are eighth-grader Landon Newman, who finished second in the 132-pound class with a 705-pound total, and Gavin Bridgeman, who earned second place in the 198-pound class with 1,090 pounds lifted.

“To accomplish what they did on Saturday with six new lifters is crazy,” said Britt. “The guys also achieved two things that we’ve never done before by qualifying all 12 of our lifters for 5A South State and breaking the region record for points scored.”

Jamall Brown earned a second-place finish in the 123-pound class with a 700-pound total, Xavier Gayten earned second place in the 181-pound class with a 1,075-pound total and Brice Ashley was the third-placed finisher in the 242-pound class with a 1,090-pound total.

“We’ll next compete at Gautier on March 1 in the 5A South State meet and they’ll be the team to beat there,” said Britt. “I’d also like to thank everyone that made hosting the region meet possible, including some great sponsors that helped support us.”