BonnerSprings.com

If you drive by Bonner Springs High School at 6 a.m. on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays you can see the signs of dedication in the student parking lot as cars are parked.

Inside, students are lifting and training on the Bonner Springs powerlifting team.

"I am really impressed with their drive and determination, they show up at 6 a.m.on those days. There is nothing worse than squatting heavy at 6 a.m.," coach Justin Howe said. "They don't need a lot of pushing. I think it helps being involved with this nationwide program. They can compare themselves to schools in the nation.

Jake Barren the team's captain is ranked in the nation.

He is leading the team that is experiencing success on the state and national level.

Four members of the Bonner Springs Power-lifting team have already qualified for nationals.

The lifters who have qualified are Anthony Ward, Clarence Forshey, Jake Barren and his brother Max Barren.

The Braves set 16 new state teen records at a meet earlier this season.

The records occurred in the squat, bench, dead lift and in total weight.

Alyson Espy competing in the Teen 1 group, for 14-15 year-olds, set records in the squat with 121 pounds, 60-pound bench, 132-pound dead lift and 314 pounds of total weight. She is in the 97-pound weight class.

Max Barren lifted a total of 1,014 points in the teen two category that is for 16-17 lifters.

Clarence Forshey lifted a total of 986 pounds in the teen two category.

Additionally, Barren established a new teen-2 records in the 90 kg class in the dead lift with 424 pounds and the total, 975 pounds.

Lucas Porras set a new dead-lift record in the Teen-1, 60 kilogram class with a lift of 303 pounds.

Anthony Ward set a new dead-lift record in the Teen-2, 75 kilogram class with a lift of 424 pounds.

The team will compete in the state powerlifting meet at Hoisington High School on March 8.

They plan to continue practicing in the morning to prepare for the meet.

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