Believe it or not, the South Pike powerlifting program was once a no-name brand.
Sure, they had tangible objects that showed they existed, but like any start-up program, the product took time to develop.
That was in 2002, when Tyrone Varnado and others started the program. Varnado didn’t have a clue what he was doing then and claims he hasn’t figured it all out just yet.
But somewhere in between, he and South Pike have done something right. The boys team has won back-to-back Class 4A state championships and will vie for their third straight title Saturday in Jackson at the Mississippi Coliseum.
“It’s been hard. It’s been really hard,” Varnado said of the past 11 years. “Because when we started in 2002, it was a new sport, new to the area, didn’t really know what we were doing. Not to say that we know what we’re doing now, but the journey has been rewarding.”
It’s also hard for him to put into context what a third straight title would mean. As any coach would do, Varnado isn’t looking into it too much. He still has his opinions, though.
“It would be everything to the kids we have and the kids that have come through,” Varnado said. “On a personal note, it’s not about me, it’s about the kids.”
South Pike edged out Pontotoc, 46-44, last year for the state title and will have just as tough competition this season.
The Eagles, who had eight members qualify for the state tournament, are chock-full of seniors and boast three defending state champions. Senior Chris Pittman is a two-time defending state champion and will compete in the165-pound weight class.
Pittman won the 123-pound title in 2011 and set a record last year with his three-lift total of 1340 — 540 on squat, 235 on bench press and 565 on deadlift. That number shattered the previous 4A state record of 1305 set by Port Gibson’s Andrew Nicholas in 2006, as well as the all-time record of 1335, which was set by Vicksburg’s Jeremy Hamlin in 2007.
Meanwhile, Desmond Robertson will defend his title in the 123-pound class. Freshman Corey Pittman, who won the 114-pound championship in 2012 as an eighth-grader, has moved up two weight classes to the 132-pound field.
Entering Saturday, Pittman’s 1400 lift total (squat, bench press, dead lift) is tops in his weight class, and he’s the odds on favorite, as was the case in 2012.
“It would mean a whole lot to me,” Pittman said. “It’s something no one has accomplished here before at South Pike. I want to be the first to accomplish that.”
Pittman said he feels confident about his squat (575) and dead lift (600), but his bench press (225) is the biggest challenge.
Most of all, it’s his mental framework that may challenge him the most.
“Being focused and being humble and not just getting a big head about me being the returning state champion,” Pittman said. “I have to go up there with a focused mindset.”
Pittman seems to have the right mindset. In case he doesn’t, Varnado has made sure to hammer home the point.
“I’ve told him, ‘Even though you’ve been there and done that, it don’t mean anything,’ ” Varnado said. “You still have to lift Saturday. You still have to prove to everybody you can be a three-time state champion.”
In addition to Pittman, two other South Pike lifters lead their respective weight classes. Darion Cravins’ 1175 total is tops in the 148-pound weight class and Chris Brumfield leads the 308-pound weight class with a three-lift total of 1635.
Brumfield may have the most to gain from this year’s championships. Although he and Kentrelle Allen helped lift South Pike to the 2012 title with a late push, Brumfield fell short in the 308-pound weight class with a second-place finish. Simple technical miscues, like unevenly locking out on the bench press, nearly caused him to scratch.
“It’s just mental. I think it was just out of excitement,” he said. “I had a chance to win but I blew it.”
South Pike sends 12 girls to state meet
Twelve South Pike girls will try and take a page out of the boys’ manual with a win of their own in the Class II state tournament.
The Lady Eagles came up short last year as they claimed second place with 36 points.
Varnado likes his chances this season, especially with a veteran group set to take the platform in Jackson.
Sanetra Forbes boasts the high mark in the 114-pound weight class while Kristina Brumfield holds the top spot in the 220-pound weight class.
Brumfield is one of five seniors who have helped set the tone, something Varnado has lauded.
“They work their tails off,” he said. “Those seniors have kind of led the younger group, the ladies that will come behind them. They’ve taken the young girls by the hands and said, ‘Let’s go.’”
