Slater lifters bring home plenty of gold

COLUMBIA -- The Slater powerlifting team had their customary success last month in the Show-Me State Games at Columbia.

The Wildcats walked away with 21 gold medals during the July 19 competition at Lange Middle School.

Taking first place in the bench press in their respective gender, age and weight classes were Travis Holt (130 pounds), Jared Haynes (150), Niki Kruger (75), Ryan Adams (275), Craig Gochenour (210), Lauren Weiker (Female 17-19/80), Khris Todd (175), Keli Kruger (100), Debbie Gonzalez (95) and Dennis Rohr (430).

Deadlift winners were Holt (300), Haynes (280), Niki Kruger (200), Todd (435), Adams (505), Gochenour (335), Weiker (235), Keli Kruger (225), Gonzalez (225), Rohr (520) and coach Chris Ferri (580).

In the bench press, four Slater athletes took second place, six came in third and four were fourth. The 'Cats had seven silver medals and five bronze medals in deadlift.

Taking part in the meet for the Slater club were (bottom row, from left) Kelly Davis, Tina Brown, Gonzalez, Brooke Clemons, Zach Sullivan, Holt, Kyle Lewellen, Haynes, (top row) Emmanuel Milan, Jeremy Fizer, Keli Kruger, Gochenour, Khris Todd, Weiker, Niki Kruger, Cody Skinner, Ferri, Adams, Mike Todd, Jacob Brumit, Don Hayes, Rohr, future Wildcats Mason and Kate Rohr, (not pictured) Anderson and Chris Zdybel.