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TOP LIFTS: There are multiple state champions in each weight class based on age group and what division they entered. For the article I'm not going to list all of the state champions, instead I'm going to mention which lifter posted the top bench, the top total and the top curl regardless of category and age group, but remember there are a lot of state champions who aren't getting mentioned.
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XTRAS: If you are like me, I want to know who posted the top lifts in the past. There is a link 'past champions' that will tell you which lifters have the top lifts past and present. There is a link for 'Meet Records' which means the highest lifts EVER posted at the state championships (regardless of age group). Finally there is the Woody Leonard All-Steel team which recognizes the top lifters pound per pound at the state championships.
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RESULTS (2023)
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**STATE MEET RECORD: The meet record is the highest lift, regardless of age group, in every weight class. The State Meet Record can ONLY be set at the N.C. State Champinships.
WOMEN
(97) For the write up I use the open weight classes which means we start at 97 pounds. This is important to note as there are a LOT of youth lifters in N.C. and many are well under 97 pounds. My point, this class is one of the most competitive at the state championships.
2021 Gracie Bushee came out of the gate with a 149 pound state meet record squat which would lead her to the top total for the second time in three years. Gracie would also post the top curl for the second time. Kylie May benched 72 pounds at a bodyweight of 77 pounds which was the second consecutive year that Kylie had the biggest bench.
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(114) Allison Freeman had the top total at 148, but she dropped down three weight classes to compete at 114. Allison started off with a state meet record 209 pound squat, and finished with a state meet record 243 pound deadlift which led to, no surprise a state meet record 568 pound total. Allison would also curl a state meet record 74 pounds. The final tally, Allison would post the top bench and the top curl and she would post the top powerlifting total for the third time.
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(132) Fitness Warehouse would take the top lifts in two consecutive weight classes as Reagan Charlton would post the top bench, the top total and the top curl.
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(148) Two years ago youth lifter Madison Berry posted the top lifts in all three categories. In 2023 Madison came back far stronger than ever and the results were three fold. Madison would have the biggest bench, the biggest curl and the biggest total at 148. Maidson's 74 pound curl set the state meet record which is very impressive as Madison is ONLY ten years old.
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(165) It was team JCC's turn to win two in a row as JCC lifter Madison Berry would be followed by Mackenzie Grace Taylor. Mackenzie started the day with a state meet record 319 pound squat , she followed with a state meet record 194 pound bench and finished with a state meet record 358 pound deadlift for, of course, a state meet record 865 pound total. Mackenzie would become the only lifter of the day to break all four records as her 101 pound curl was also a state meet record. Mackenzie is only fifteen and yet she has now posted the top total four (yes four) times and she's posted the top bench and curl three times each.
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(181) At 181 it was master lifter Patti Presson who would post the top powerlifting and the top bench in her weight class.
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(198) One of my favorite lifters if the silent, young and incredibly strong Olivia Stedman. Olivia is only eleven years old, but she's been setting world records for a while now. In 2023 Olivia would break through as she would post the top bench, the top powerlifting total and the top curl in her weight class.
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(SHW) At SHW Demetria Sarafis of Currituck high school would pull a state meet record 374 pounds deadlift which would give her the top total and the top curl of the day. in the bench it was Crystal Daniel who would post the top lift.
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MEN
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(105) The good news for are adult lifters is this. Jeremiah Skinner is only 88 pounds, you don't have to worry about him yet. The bad news, Jeremiah is only nine years old and in a few years many of you, and me, will have to deal with this strong kid. At the 2023 state championships Jeremiah had another stellar day as he would post the highest bench and the highest curl for the second time AND at nine years of age, Jeremiah would become the youngest lifter to post the top powerlifting total three times.
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(132) Anthony Estrada would post a solid total as he would post the top bench, curl and total at 132.
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(148) The 148 class started off with an awe-inspiring performance as Ethan Binckley would curl a state meet record and open record 151 pound lift. This was the most BY far ever lifted in North Carolina and the top 148 curl of the day. Ethan would also have the best bench. In powerlifting it was little brother Easten Binckley who would post the top total for the second time.
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(165) Cedric Jernigan has really come on strong over the last two years and he did it again at the state championships. Cedric started the day with a state meet record 419 pound squat which would lead to Cedric posting the top powerlifting total for the second consecutive year. Cedric would also post the top bench of the day. In the curl, it was the always popular and best dressed Yogi Sumner who would post the top lift.
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(181) At 181 Raymond Chmielinski would post the top powerlifting total and the top bench, the top curl was posted by Jarrett Overton.
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(198) Elijah Binckley saw his older AND his younger brother clean house at 148. At 198 Elijah wasn't to be outdone as he would post the top bench in his weight class and the top powerlifting total. Posting the top curl was a face that we are starting to see everywhere as a lifter and meet director, Tc Haubold. Great job on and off the platform Tc.
(220) Edward Molesky would post the top bench and Colton Greene would post the top total at 220.
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(242) Michael Oliver would be the first lifter since the 165 class to post the top powerlifting total for the second consecutive year. Michael would than return to curl a state meet record 195 pounds to post the top curl for the second consecutive year. 242 was very talented as we also had Rickie Dozier bench an insane state meet record 501 pounds to post the top bench. NOTE: This is the NC state championships so while Michael posted the top N.C. total, the top overall total went to Justin Hall out of Virginia.
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(275) At 275 Baron Capps would go 3 for 3 as he would post the top total, the top bench and the top curl. NOTE: The Top N.C. curl belonged to Baron, but the top overall curl went to Stephen Kozlowski out of Virginia.
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(308) Everyone loves Austin Poff. Austin use to be a somewhat strong young man who turned himself into an incredibly strong young man. Austin Poff posted the top total and as I was updated the standings I realized, 29 year old Austin has now posted the top total five times!!! Posting the top curl and the top bench was Chris Pitts. Chris's 187 pound curl was a state meet record.
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(SHW) Absolutely one of my favorite lifters is Ryan Stone. Ryan competed at the 2016 state championships and took first place. I guess Ryan wanted to give everyone else a chance to win as he waited six years before returning. The result? Ryan won his second state title in the bench and surprised me by curling a state meet record 173 pounds which was the top curl in his weight class. Ryan, lets not wait another six years!!!