Jayhawk powerlifters compete at state 1A meet

Jayhawk powerlifters Nate Johnson, left, and Paul John Haen attended the state 1A powerlifting meet on March 23. Johnson placed third in his weight class and Haen broke three personal records at the meet. (Submitted photo)

CONWAY SPRINGS, Kan. – Two Jayhawk-Linn High School students traveled to Conway Spring, Kan., on March 23 to compete in the 2024 Kansas 1A Powerlifting Meet that saw 275 weightlifters converge on the high school there about 20 miles southwest of Wichita.

Nate Johnson walked away with a bronze medal for his third place overall finish in the 123-pound class with six points for lifting a total of 520 pounds. Johnson placed third in the clean competition with a lift of 155 pounds, fourth in the squat competition with a lift of 225 pounds, and fifth in the bench press with 140 pounds.

Paul John Haen placed 13th overall in the 180-pound class for lifts totaling 545 pounds. Haen lifted 155 pounds in the bench press, 235 pounds in the squat, and 155 pounds in the clean. While he didn’t earn a medal, the lifts in all three events were personal records for Haen.