Powerlifting records fall
Published 9:35 am Thursday, March 26, 2015
Two Davie High School students set national records Saturday at the Virginia Open Powerlifting competition in Salem, Va., sponsored by the U.S. Powerlifting Association.
Austin Smith, 14, set new national records for his age group by squat lifting 315 pounds and bench-pressing 215 pounds. He set a new Virginia record by dead lifting 308 pounds.
Smith is the son of Charles and Tina Smith.
Michael Sparks, 15, broke the old national deadlift record of 407 pounds for his age group by lifting in succession 475, 518 and 540 pounds. The world record is 512 pounds, but the Virginia competition did not qualify as a world event.
He is the son of Lillian Sparks of Zionsville, Ind., and Dwight and Elizabeth Sparks of Advance.
Eight Davie County lifters competed in the Virginia event.
Zeb Jones of Davie medaled in the 165-pound open division.
Other competitors: David Crater, Donnie Vestal, Barry Holt, Chris Cottrell.