4A State Weightlifting Competition

By:Nick Becker

Every year, willing athletes from around the state go to Abilene, Kansas to compete in the 4A Weightlifting Competition. Eudora has sent lifters for four years with Phil Katzenmeier. This year, Coach Katzenmeier went with seniors Steven Simpson and Emma Beck, junior Tristin Chapman, and sophomore Justus Merz. Each lifter competed in separate weight classes against other lifters from various schools.

Emma Beck lifted 500 pounds overall, (a score combining weight in the clean, bench, squat), getting 2nd place in the state. Steven Simpson lifted 890 pounds overall earning 4th place. Tristin Chapman got 580 pounds total, benching 185 for 2nd place on bench. Justus Merz did not attempt squat, but achieved first in the state for cleaning 315 pounds.

“It was really fun to meet new people,” Emma Beck says. “You get to cheer on other classmates who went. The gym was packed and really loud because all of the fans (yes, people actually come to watch). My favorite part of the tournament was seeing improvements that I have made over the last year, and hanging out with Katz, of course.”