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APF Holds Single Ply High School Nationals
WPC President Mike Sweeney reports that last weekend's inaugural APF High School Nationals held in in Baton Rouge, Louisiana was a huge success. Garry Frank organized the team competition which was host to 188 lifters and eight different high schools. Alexandria Senior High from Alexandria, Louisiana won both the boys and girls events. Interestingly, lifters competed in single ply gear.
Sweeney:
I just got of the phone with Garry Frank. This past weekend Garry made APF history by having the most successful APF Teenage National competition the APF has ever had in Baton Rouge LA. The APF has always had a National Teenage division combined with Master Nationals, but the small turnout of teenagers were always over shadowed by the much larger number of Master lifters. The difference with Garry's meet was it's emphasis was on team competition that emulated Texas/Louisiana H.S. competition structure. Single ply gear only. Individuals were allowed to lift, but they still had to represent their school. There were eight high schools with large teams from Texas/Louisiana, along with a handful of individuals that totaled 188 teen lifters. All of these teams have winning traditions with multiple State Championships in their states class structure(4-A / 5-A). Garry said there were still 30-40 kids who didn't come either because of spring sports, or weren't sure about lifting in a first time event. He was still beyond ecstatic with 188 lifters for the first time. These kids are ridiculously strong according Garry. Girls who squatted over 400, boys routinely squatting in the mid 600's, and a few 700's too. He said these kids squat rock bottom in single ply gear to boot. Even a couple of 165-pounders were deadlifting in the mid 500's. No doubt huge iron high school lifting to say the least! These kids are the strongest H.S. lifters in the nation.
Garry said he will have detailed results that will include all the schools that participated, plus some fantastic pictures in a matter of days. I asked him who won the team titles. He said a school called Alexandria Senior High(aka. A.S.H.) from Alexandria Louisiana won both the boys/girls first ever APF High School National National Championship. A.S.H is one of the most decorated teams in Louisiana/National H.S. Powerlifting history. With 30 State Titles and 23 National Championships to back it up prior to this contest. Make it 24 now! Great job Alexandria Senior High!
Last the feedback has been so positive that Garry foresees going from a 2 platform contest to a 4 platform contest next year. His phone has been ringing all day with thank you's from the coaches/lifters. The coaches said their lifters haven't stopped talking about the APF experience since they got home. That the kids that didn't make it to the meet are kicking themselves for not going after they saw their teammates awesome medals and Championship Cups for the Top 3 Boys/Girls teams. I bet those Championship Cups are going to look pretty sweet in those schools trophy cases. Garry went all out. He feels confident that he will have 15-20 teams at next years APF High School Nationals. Phenomenal job Garry. Congratulations!
