Bales earns 4th Place medal at regional meet, now packing for state!

Image: Two of Italy’s strongest — Lady Gladiators Nikki Brashear and Kaytlyn Bales during powerlifting workouts earlier in the season. Both girls recently qualified for regionals with Bales earning a 4th Place medal and a return trip to the state powerlifting meet in Corpus Christi.

Two of Italy’s strongest — Lady Gladiators Nikki Brashear and Kaytlyn Bales during powerlifting workouts earlier in the season. Both girls recently qualified for regionals with Bales earning a 4th Place medal and a return trip to the state powerlifting meet in Corpus Christi. (Barry Byers)

Italy Lady Gladiator Kaytlyn Bales, a junior, earned 4th Place at the regional girls powerlifting meet held in Forney and will be returning to the state powerlifting meet where she finished in 3rd Place last season at the 1A level, with a lift total of 720 lbs., and in 5th Place in 2009, with a lift total of 615 lbs.

In Forney, Bales squatted 285 lbs., benched 170 lbs. and dead lifted 290 lbs. for a total of 745 lbs. This year’s event marked the first time Bales medalled at regionals and accomplished the feat at the 2A level.

Bales qualified for regionals after lifting a total of 740 lbs. at the Godley Invitational Regional Qualifying Meet. Bales squatted 285 lbs., benched 165 lbs. and dead lifted 290 lbs.

Senior Lady Gladiator Nikki Brashear also qualified for the regional meet in Forney but was unable to medal and advance to state.

Bales leaves for the state meet in Corpus Cristi on Thursday, March 17 and lifts on Saturday, March 19. 3A and 4A schools will compete on Friday, March 18.

Congratulations to both Kaytlyn, Nikki, and to the entire Italy Powerlifting Team this season on all their successes. And good luck, Kaytlyn, at the state meet!

Go Italy!