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Joe Bob Jones, a senior at Valley Mills High School, won the State Powerlifting Championship last Saturday, tying the state record squat of 565 pounds at the state meet at Fort Hood.
Jones improved his powerlifting total by 35 pounds for a total of 1385 to win the Division II(1A to 3A schools) championship in the boys 181-pound division. The rest of his total was a 310-pound bench press and a 510-pound deadlift. Jones narrowly missed 520 on deadlift on a judgement call. Coming into the state meet, Joe Bob was tied with the third place lifter. Jones was beaten by Blake Byrd of Bellville and Jimmy Henson of Manor at the regional meet, but qualified for state with his total of 1350 pounds.There were 35 lifters in Jones' class at the state meet. Each lifter gets three chances at each event. In the squat, Jones' strongest event, he tied the state record on his third try. His 310 lb bench press gave him a 40 point lead going into the deadlift, but that was his weakest event. "It was very close," Jones said. "Any of the top five could have won." He said Powerlifting coach Joel Cromer and Athletic Director Kevin Sprinkles were instrumental in helping him achieve his championship performance. Jones is the son of Sandi and Danny Jones of Valley Mills. He said he will serve in the National Guard this summer and hopes to attend Texas A&M."I have really enjoyed working with Joe Bob throughout the season," said Coach Cromer. "Joe Bob has natural strength, but realized his potential and strived to be the best in the state. It was his training and determination that won the state championship. Joe Bob is a fine young man and showed class at every lifting meet he went to. I was proud to have him represent Valley Mills." |
