Gleason, Sullivan Set Records In State Title Winning Performances; Gonzalez Wins Runner-up Title
The dominance of the Sulphur Bulldog powerlifting program continued March 12-13 as the team captured their ninth consecutive state championship at the Oklahoma State Powerlifting Meet in El Reno.
Sulphur completed an undefeated season by winning the Large School Division (Classes 3A-6A) title, finishing with 145 team points to outdistance the competition and once again stand atop Oklahoma high school powerlifting.
Leading the way for the Bulldogs were state champions Jason Gleason and Connor Sullivan, while Manuel Gonzalez added a runner-up finish to help power Sulphur to another title.
Gleason, competing in the 242-pound class, and Sullivan in the 275-pound class, both delivered historic performances by setting new state records in their respective weight classes on their way to state championships.
Gleason stormed to first place with lifts of 600 pounds in the squat, 315 pounds in the bench press, and 680 pounds in the dead-lift. He was the heavyweight MVP in the deadlift. He set state records in the deadlift (680 pounds) and in the total lift (1705 pounds) Sullivan made his mark with a 660-pound squad, 345-pound bench press and 600-pound dead-lift. He was MVP in the heavyweight squat and was MVP in total lift.
Sullivan set a state record in the squat (730 pounds), in the deadlift (680 pounds) and in the total lift (1,800 pounds.
Gonzalez delivered a big time performance in the 123-pound division. He had a 350-pound squat left, 190-pound bench press and 385-pound dead-lift for a second place effort.
“Congratulations to these young men on an outstanding year,” said head coach Keith Garrett. “Sulphur boys and girls both repeated as team State Champions.”
Sulphur sent an impressive 18 lifters to the state meet, tying the school record for the most athletes ever advancing to the state championships, after a strong performance during regional qualifying.
With another dominant showing on the state stage, the Bulldogs capped a remarkable season and continued one of the most impressive dynasties in Oklahoma high school powerlifting with their ninth consecutive state championship.
The Bulldogs had several athletes place in the top 10 of their respective weight classes, contributing valuable points toward the championship effort. Follow are Sulphur results:
Sulphur powerlifters, Connor Sullivan, above left, Jason Gleason, above right, powered the Bulldogs to a historic 9th consecutive state powerlifting title last week in El Reno. Sullivan and Gleason each set records to win individual titles in their weight divisions and Manuel Gonzalez was a state runner-up winner. Sullivan and Gleason are pictured lifting during a meet in February. PHOTOS BY DON COFFEY
