Emotions flowed at Owen Robinson JV Invitational powerlifting meet

by Malcolm Butler

The memory of Owen Robinson will live on for the Cedar Creek powerlifting program.

And Saturday was a raw example of it.

The former Cedar Creek multisport athlete who tragically passed away in a car accident last summer now has his name on the school’s JV powerlifting event.

The oldest son of Jeff Robinson and Brooke Preaus St. John, Owen had spent his elementary and high school days at Cedar Creek.

He played football for the Cougars and was an integral part in the boys powerlifting team winning the state title in 2021. Owen still holds the school record in the deadlift in the 165-pound weight class at 530 pounds.

And on Saturday Cedar Creek student athletes as well as competitors from around the area came together for the competition and to remember Owen.

“Saturday was a special day for our program,” said Cedar Creek head coach Jacob Angevine. “We had so many young kids compete in their last meet of the year and one senior the last meet of her career. To be able to celebrate Owen with this meet meant everything to all of us.

“His spirit was felt by all and I’m so glad that Jeff and Brooke allowed us to name this meet after their son. It makes it even more special that the Cedar Creek JV Meet was the first meet Owen got to compete in his freshmen year. It’s hard not to get emotional thinking about it. This is where he fell in love with powerlifting and I hope so many others did on Saturday, too.”

And as if the emotions brought by remembering Owen weren’t already enough, Angevine and the Cedar Creek program was also moved by the performance of senior Amelia Reynolds. The Cedar Creek Lady Cougar lifter finished third in the 123-pound weight class in her final competition in the green and gold with a three-lift total of 355 pounds.

“The highlight of the day for me was watching Amelia compete in her last meet ever,” said Angevine. “She has fought a lot of health issues over the last year and she was able to pull a PR on deadlift that she has not pulled since last year. Once she saw all three white lights she let out a huge “YES!” on the platform and pumped her fists.

“We had a big hug and then she immediately went to hug her mom. The emotion that was in that hug is exactly why I love this sport. It is you vs the bar, nothing else.”

The other Cedar Creek lifters that reached the podium was Harshaan Lally, who finished second in the 181-pound classification with a three-lift total of 1,000 pounds, and Lexie Vance who finished third in the 165-pound class with a total of 580 pounds.

“We know Owen was smiling all day,” said Angevine.

Cedar Creek Competitors totals

Anderson Godlewski 165 795 total

Lathon Roberson 165 705 total

Harshaan Lally 2nd 181 1000 total

Kamden Hardman 181 725 total

Jackson Bullock 198 780 total

Vance Mallett 220 900 total

Ethan Aycock 220 865 total

Gabe Miller 242 930 total

Amelia Reynolds 3rd 123 355 total

Anna Malsam 148 435 total