by Malcolm Butler
Joanie Cannon earned a first place finish and three more Cedar Creek lifters earned a spot on the podium during the North Regional Championships this past weekend.
Head coach Jacob Angevine saw 11 Lady Cougars compete during the event with a hopes of advancing to the state championships. The top 10 finishers from each weight class in every division across the state qualify with the official rankings coming later this week.
“We had seven girls this year that lifted in their first ever regional and three of them are first year lifters,” said Angevine. “We lost seven seniors from last year, five that placed first at State and two that placed second.
“I think as a team we placed 4th or 5th, but as I’ve been preaching to the girls, Regionals is just the first step to putting a ring on their finger. The 2-time defending 5A champs West Monroe and 2A champs D’Arbonne Woods were the top two teams.”
Cannon placed first in the 105-pound weight class with a three-lift total of 540 pounds. She was joined on the podium by teammates Marley Jinks (3rd in 114-class with total of 635 pounds), Catherine Williams (3rd in 148-class with total of 730 pounds) and Avery Bourn (3rd in 220-class with total of 840 pounds).
“Two of those four are first year lifters and that was great to see them compete like that on the big stage,” said Angevine. “The North region is loaded with talent as three of the five State Champions are located here.
“We’re young as a team this year, and we’ve got big shoes to fill from the last three years, but our girls are locked in and ready to fight.”
Below are the results for the Lady Cougars from the North Regionals.
Jillian Ramsey 97 lb 420 total
Aubrey Singleton 105 lb 435 total
Joanie Cannon 1st place 105 lb 540 total
Marley Jinks 3rd place 114 635 total
Catherine Williams 3rd place 148 730 total
Rosemary Sewell 148 695 total
Gia Fernandez 165 750 total
Kate Harris 181 775 total
Kenna Williams 181 595 total
Bella DiGiovanni 198 640 total
Avery Bourn 3rd place 220 840 total
