Phillips and Boyd move on to Nationals

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com
 
A Daingerfield senior was offered a full-ride scholarship for her efforts in powerlifting, traveling to State once again, and capturing a second place State win.
Nicole Phillips had a second place win at Regionals in Wills Point to qualify her for State competition. At State competition in Corpus Christi  on March 16 she lifted 475 pounds for squats, 205 pounds for bench press, and dead lifted 375 pounds for a total weight of 1,055 in the 220 plus weight class.
Tachrissa Boyd, a junior, also qualified at Regionals with a first place win. She was in the 148 weight class; however, she didn’t get to finish because she was red lighted on her squat.
“You give three opportunities and if the judges don’t get at least two white lights, you don’t get to finish,” Assistant Coach Engra Patt-Mason said. “Both girls are considered All-State so they qualify for a powerlifting ring. They will be competing in Nationals this Saturday in Oklahoma City, Okla.”
Both girls said they spend long hours practicing and then attending meets that last all day on Saturdays. This is the third year for Phillips in powerlifting and the second for Boyd.
“These girls have been to four meets this year and they practice every day,” Coach Patt-Mason said. “They lift hard three days and go to walk throughs on one day and a walk through on Friday and they lift on Saturdays. Phillips has placed first at every regular meet, second in Regionals and second in State. Boyd has two first place wins and two second place in regular season and placed first in Regionals and didn’t get to finish in State.”
Coach Michael Mason has worked with the girls in practice and takes them to the meets.
“These two girls are really hard workers and represented the school really well,” Coach Mason said.
The girls agreed they spend many hours practicing. 
“I worked very hard,” Phillips said. “I have been doing powerlifting for three years. Joselyn Taylor got me into it, and I wanted to better myself.”
Boyd has been powerlifting two years and agrees the work is hard.
“I have been working really, really hard,” she said.
While in Corpus Christi, the girls rode boats to go sightseeing and also saw the Selena Memorial as the singer was from Corpus Christi. Both girls are anxious to compete in Nationals.