By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — Kaden Murphy gave his best performance and it led to a few more bests.

The Coal Grove Hornets junior not only the best in powerlifter in the 185-pound division, he also had the record best lift in all three lifting categories which earned him the Best of the Best in the IRONHEADZ Best of the Best Ohio State Championship Powerlifting meet last Saturday at Coal Grove High School.

Murphy had earned the title of Pound for Pound Strongest Lifter with an average of 8.53 pounds of weight per pound of body weight.

But Murphy wasn’t the only Coal Grove lifter who came away the best in their division.

Kamryn Hall won the 135-pound class with a total of 910 pounds with a meet record in the squat at 375 pounds.

Joshua Short won the unlimited weight class with 1,450 pounds and set a meet record in the bench press for his weight class at 335 pounds.

Short also had the top squat in his weight class at 650 pounds.

The Hornets Braydon Klaiber had the highest squat in the 175 class at 415 pounds while Leland McKnight had the highest bench press in the 135 class at 185 pounds.

But it was Murphy who put forth record lifts as he shattered records in each lift as he had a 375-pound bench press, 625-pound squat and 535-pound deadlift to give him a record total of 1,535 pounds.

“Kaden works as hard as he can every day. He not only wants to be great, he puts in the time and effort to achieve every goal he sets for himself. He’s a competitor and I couldn’t be more proud of him,” said Coal Grove coach Jay Lucas.

“Kaden has earned all of the records and accomplishments. His mental toughness, competitiveness, and his heart and desire are what make him special.”

Coal Grove won the Division 5 team state championship and posted the highest weight total of 13,380 pounds. The Division 5 state runner-up was Piketon with 12,150 pounds.

Unioto was the Division 4 champions with the second highest team total of 13, 250 pounds while runner-up Waverlyhad 7,890 pounds.

Other teams were Wheelersburg with 10,825 pounds, Nelsonville-York 9,330 pounds and South Point had 7,725 pounds.