Four members of the Poplarville Powerlifting team advanced to the Class 4A Powerlifting State Championship.

Poplarville’s Powerlifting Head Coach Jacob Owen said Ahmad Bolton, Chase Shears, Josh Rogers and Zac Owen qualified to attend the state championship after finishing in the top three of their respective weight class during the South State Championship, which was held on March 3, at Moss Point High School.

Powerlifting competitions consist of three events: bench, squat and deadlift. Each participant has three attempts to reach their maximum weight lifted and at the end, the most of each event is added together.

Owen said Bolton finished second in the 181 pound weight class after lifting a total of 1,200 pounds.

Shears finished third in the 198 pound weight class after he lifted a total of 1,190 pounds. Rogers came in second place in the 220 pound weight class by lifting 1,175.

Owen, who also competed in the 220 pound weight class, finished third after lifting a total of 1,170 pounds.

“This is the first year that Bolton has been with the powerlifting team and I’m proud of the kids for the hard work that they showed in the weight room in order to get ready for this competition,” Owen said.

The four team members will compete in the Class 4A State Championship, which will take place Saturday, April 14, in Jackson.

This year, the Poplarville powerlifting team consisted of 11 team members; Chris Fowler, Antonio Barnes, Seth Johnson, Heath Smith, Tyler Mata, Caleb Entrekin, Chandler Norris, Bolton, Shears, Rogers and Owen.