LINDEN &8212; Nine Marengo Academy students traveled to Pickens Academy last month to represent the Longhorn powerlifting team.

The program first developed from a group of students who found enjoyment in their standard workout regimens as they attempted to build strength for other sports.

The program is in its second year and Lindsey and Little are confident it will continue in coming years.

The team travels to various schools statewide to take part in meets, earning points based on each individual&8217;s performance. While the squad did not bring back team accolades, it also did not return home empty-handed.

Sophomore Will Wright won the state championship in the boys&8217; 240-pound weight class. Eighth-grader Caitlin Moore captured state gold in the girls&8217; 120-pound weight class while Hunter Crouch placed in the 150-pound weight class.

The team also got contributions from Parker Pruett, Reid Barkley, Tyler Henson, Randall Sanders, Matthew Sellers and Devin Walker.