Sparked by state champions Dani Barbee and Alex Pennington, the White River High squad was among the tops during the recent state powerlifting meet.

Competition took place May 8 at North Beach High School, attracting 152 lifters from 20 schools from all corners of the state.

In the end, White River’s girls took third place and the Hornet boys were sixth.

Aside from the pair of state champions, White River had 15 lifters earn Top 10 status. Kristen England was a state runner-up while

Casandra “The Lieutenant” Harris, Danielle Carr and Kim Nelsen took third-place honors. Isabella Pennini grabbed fourth place and both

Autumn Nation and Madison Altamirano claimed fifth; the trio of Isaiah Anderson, Kaelyn Payton and Maria Dimas took sixth;

Zach Kayner, Parker Knaus and Tatiana Molinero were seventh; and ninth-place went to Marcus Leahy and Samantha Kelley.

On his way to an individual title, Pennington set a state record in the squat with an effort of 635 pounds.

Both Harris and Knaus received the Lifters Choice Award for sportsmanship, an honor voted on by all of the host school lifters.

Carr placed eighth among 60 girls in the Best Overall Lifter category.