The Pleasant Home Eagles’ girls and boys weight lifting teams clinched the Class 1A state championships this Saturday in Elmore County.

“We had a lot of great kids this year,” Eagles’ head coach Ron Yates said. “I was very proud of the way that we went up competed.”

Yates said that for most of the kids on the team, it was their first time competing at the state finals.

“Anytime you take a kid into a new environment, it can take some getting used to,” Yates said. “Getting started there were some butterflies, but after that first lift you could tell they got more comfortable. It’s really a great environment. Everyone is cheering each other on. Even if they don’t go to the same school, the kids are all encouraging each other. It’s a really great place to be.”

This was the fifth state title that the Eagles’ weight lifting teams have won. The Eagles’ boys team has won back-to-back state titles.

“This was the first year that we have had girls competing in a long time,” Yates said. “They have really been putting in a lot of hard work, and I’m so proud of the way they have improved in such a short time. None of the girls are seniors, so hopefully we can continue to grow the program next year.”

Not only did the girls pick up the top spot in Class 1A, Yates said they scored well enough to finish top three in Class 1A-7A.

“These kids competed against schools that are much bigger than Pleasant Home,” Yates said. “All of the girls on our team earned medals and we finished top three overall.”

Yates said that Pleasant Home totaled 10 medals and three individual state champions.

Eric Bradley, Colt Hinson and Hailey Ward each finished as state champions in the weight divisions.

“We have a few seniors on the boys team, but the girls team will be all back next year,” Yates said. “Hopefully this will help us continue to grow the program. It was a great year and we had great kids and very supportive parents.”