After traveling to Jackson Friday afternoon for weigh-ins, the next step for the Warren Central powerlifting team was to showcase their strength with the best in the state.

In the 2016 MHSAA State Powerlifting Championship, Caleb Watts took second place in the 220-pound weight class, Lee Fortner finished fifth in the 114-pound weight class and Kievon Dee’s misfortunes with his squats left him out of position to medal in the 181-pound weight class.

“He did a fabulous job getting to the state championship. Did a great job and he is going to be missed,” said Warren Central powerlifting coach Chad McMullin.

Dee missed on his first two squats so him and McMullin made adjustments on his third and final attempt. McMullin thought Dee’s cleared the weight, but judges thought differently.

Fortner set personal records across the board with his performance at the state championship. He squatted 240 pounds, deadlifted 250 and benched 130.

“He had a shot at fourth but was beat by 5 pounds,” McMullin said. “The kid (Johnathan Johnson) that beat him is from Northwest Rankin and he’s in ninth grade as well so they’ll be battling it out in the future.”

Johnson bested Fortner in the 6A North State Finals in a similar fashion. Fortner had a 10-pound advantage on Johnson squatting and a 5 pound advantage on the bench press. However Johnson came from behind with a 20-pound advantage deadlifting, taking second over Fortner by 5 pounds.

A first place win would’ve been a form fitting way for Watts to close out his high school powerlifting career, although he’ll have to settle for second.

McMullin said in his 18 years of coach he’s never seen a closer lift.

“He was down 75 pounds going into the deadlift,” McMullin said.

Watts had to hit 670 pounds to take the lead and McMullin believes he was less than a half-inch of being parallel and clearing

His final weight total was 1540 pounds in his last meet as a Viking.

Watts will attend Hinds Community College in the fall to play football.

“He closed out his senior year as well as he possible could and I am very proud of him,” McMullin said. “He’s disappointed but he’s a tough kid.”