BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Raiford Wreckshop lifters Courtney Comer and Mahailya Reeves won their weight classes/age divisions, setting multiple records and qualifying for world-level competition in the process, while 14-year-old Zeke Malphurs earned a second-place finish at the Powerlifting America Classic Sub-Junior, Junior and Master Nationals on June 18 in Orlando.
“It just sends chills all over you when you see what these kids can accomplish,” Raiford Wreckshop Trainer Bryan Griffis said.
Reeves set new U.S. records in her class/age division on each of her lifts, with totals of 369.5 in the bench press, 485.5 in the squat and 485 in the deadlift. She was the meet’s overall number-one lifter.
Comer broke the U.S. and world records in her class/age division in the deadlift with a 409.5 total.
“She smashed it,” Griffis said.
Comer had a perfect day, going 9 for 9 on her attempts. She finished with a 251.5 total in the bench press and a 335.8 total in the squat.
Malphurs was the youngest lifter at the meet. He had a 245.5 total in the bench press, a 325.5 total in the squat and a 385.5 total in the deadlift. He was close to doing better in the deadlift.
“He got the last (attempt), but he hitched just a bit at the top,” Griffis said. “He just missed 405.”
As it was, the performance had many people telling Griffis that Malphurs was the strongest 14-year-old they’d ever seen.
Brianna Jordan also competed for Raiford Wreckshop, but she had an off day, scratching on all three of her squat attempts. Griffis explained that she missed her commands in the event as she was looking at the wrong person.
“All the other numbers were right,” Griffis said, alluding to Jordan’s 225.5 total in the bench press and 371.5 total in the deadlift.
Griffis said Jordan told him afterward she wouldn’t let him down again. His reply was that she didn’t let him down, but she had an eye-opening experience that demonstrates how quickly you can lose what you’ve gained in the past. The end result was that it’s lighted a fire under Jordan to get back after it in the weight room and train for her next opportunity.
That’s what it’s all about. Griffis may be the one who tells the lifters what to do and the one who challenges them, but ultimately it’s up to the lifters themselves. That’s what leads to their success.
“It’s the hard work,” Griffis said. “It’s the dedication.”
Griffis’ lifters caught the attention of so many people. International powerlifting officials told the lifters how impressed they were. One even took a photo with each lifter. The meet director told Griffis his lifters were the “most impressive group of young people they’ve ever seen.” A representative from Ottawa (Kansas) University made offers to all four lifters.
“These kids have a chance to make a career out of it,” Griffis said.
Griffis not only likes the dedication he sees from the lifters in the gym. As a Christian, he likes the dedication they have to Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior and how they’re not ashamed to show that publicly. The lifters and Griffis pray before and after every competition. They’ve adopted Philippians 4:13 as their motto: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
A number of sponsors supported the lifters, allowing them and Griffis to focus solely on training for the event as opposed to trying to raise funds. Griffis expressed his thanks to Big Dawg Bail Bonds, Complete Comfort Air Conditioning and Heating, GRRRL Clothing, Marrs Bar, Nutrition Escape, Nutrition Hideaway, Primo Chalk, SBD and Zone Smelling Salts.
