From staff reports

Warren Central started the part of the powerlifting season that matters with a strong showing on Thursday.

Three Viking lifters finished first, and eight out the team’s 12 members advanced to next month’s South State meet by placing in the top three of their respective weight classes at the Region 3-5A meet.

Brandon Bailey (114 pound weight class), Tim Comans (242 pounds) and Jimal Johnson (275 pounds) all finished first. Bailey totaled 560 pounds in the bench press, squat and dead lift, Comans totaled 1,225 pounds, and Johnson 1,310 pounds. Comans’ total tied for first with Clinton’s Paul Turner, but Comans won because he had a lower body weight.

WC’s Deonte Stokes lost the body weight tiebreaker and finished second to Meridian’s David Tell in the 181-pound division. Stokes still finished second, as did teammate Jericho Harris in the 220-pound class. Darious Bridges (114), Michael English (148) and Steven Jordan (308) all finished third for the Vikings and advanced to the South State meet on March 14 at Hattiesburg.

Warren Central tied for second with Clinton in the team standings, with 43 points apiece. Meridian won the team title with 57 points.