A record setting day by a pair of competitors, a couple of more added to the ever-growing list of state qualifiers and an overall team win for the boys.

All things considered, the Wisconsin Dells High School powerlifting club enjoyed a stellar day at its most recent event at Holmen High School which next month will be the site of the state championships.

One of four division winners on the day, junior Kyle Holzem established a new club record and tied the existing Holmen meet record in the 198 lb. division when he started his day with a 550 lb. squat.

That propelled him to another club/meet record of 1,320 lbs. overall when he added a 255 lb. bench press and a 5.15 lb. deadlift.

Holmen's Andy Kannel was second overall, some 90 pounds behind Holzem.

Matt Snyder enjoyed a record breaking day as well, winning the 165 lb. division with a total of 1,035 lbs. based on a 395 lb. squat, 275 lb. bench and 365 lb. deadlift.

Snyder's meet record was established in the bench press, a little ironic as the bench press has traditionally been a discipline WDHS lifters have struggled with most in the past.

However, head coach Bryan Kenney said team members have spent some time focusing on improving bench press this season.

Tyler Hovland, a freshman who copped top honors in the 123 lb. varsity division with a combined weight of 655 lbs. made up of a 260 lb. squat, 125 bench and 270 lb. deadlift. The Chiefs grabbed the top two spots in that division actually with Gregerson putting together a 215 lb. squat, 110 lb. bench and 235 lb. deadlift to total 560 lbs.

Matt Grutza topped the field in the 242 lb. division, reaching 1,125 lbs. with a 470 lb. squat, 215 lb. bench and 440 lb. deadlift. That effort was good enough to qualify Grutza, a Dells freshman for state later this spring.

Four other team members, including Gregerson wrapped up runners up honors in their respective divisions.

Jimmy Steinhorst was second in the 142 lb. division, his 335 lb. bench, 205 lb. bench and 405 lb. deadlift totalling 945, just 10 lbs. short of division winner, Auggie Moser from Tomah.

Lucas Triggs was also second in the 181 lb. division, hitting 1,155 lb. with a 430 lb. squat, 235 lb. bench and 490 lb. deadlift.

Josh Skilondz was a runner up in the junior varsity 198 lb. division, his 230 lb. squat, 100 lb. bench and 185 lb. deadlift giving him a 515 lb. total.

Bob Griep also nailed a podium spot, taking third in the junior varsity 142 lb. division with a 170 lb. squat, 110 lb. bench and 225 lb. deadlift for a 505 lb. total.

Others on the Dells mens' team included:

Mitch Hobbins, fourth in the varsity 153 lb. division with an 840 (340-180-320) lb. total and Logan Brown was fourth in the junior varsity 114 lb. group (80-50-135 - 265).

Will Hoglund finished sixth (365-235-350 -950) and Garret Volz ninth (380-180-300 - 860) in the 198 lb. division;

Nicole Gantz, a junior at WDHS reached the qualifying standard for the state championship meet at Holmen, joining a pair of female Chiefs teammates.

Katie Piekarski, who lifts in the same 142 lb. division as Gantz qualified earlier as did Becky Madsen.

Kaytee Worgul, another Dells junior was in the same 142 lb division and is not far off the qualifying standard herself.

Also at the event was Danie Vonmooos who wrapped up fourth spot in the 153 lb. division.

In the 142 lb. group, Piekearski lifted 225 lb. in the squat, 10 lbs. more than Gantz while Worgul handled 180 lbs.

In the bench, Gantz lifted 110 lbs., five more than Piekarski while Worgul reached 95 lbs.

The deadlift saw Piekerarski raising 330 lbs., five more than Gantz while Worgul reached 220 lbs.

Chiefs' powerlifters have two more chances to qualify for the state meet which will be held at Holmen in early March.

Necedah, traditionally, the club team to beat at most events will play host to an event on Feb 21 and the 'Last Chance' Qualifier meet will be held a week later at Omro.

The state championship meet will be held back at Holmen March 13-14.

Nationals is in Texas March 4-6.