Battle of the brawn at Derby’s weightlifting competition

~ theraiderpress
Photo by Sarah Jadach: Derby’s lifters pose for a photo at the NVL Weightlifting Competition.

By Horatio Glover ’26

The annual Naugatuck Valley League (NVL) weightlifting competition took place this year at Oxford High School on March 23, 2024. This year marked the twentieth time that the NVL has done it. The  competition sadly went on a hiatus back in 2020 due to COVID-19; teams were never able to make it to the competition that weekend. The competition is usually held at Seymour High School but this year it was held at Oxford due to the Seymour gym being renovated. This year, Derby took fifth place again. They fell short of 100 pounds in order to take fourth from Woodland. According to Derby head football Coach Clark, Derby had a thousand pound increase compared to last year.

The day ended with the following standings: Ansonia, Naugatuck, Seymour, Woodland, Derby, Oxford, Wilby, and Gilbert Northwestern Housatonic. This year, the Derby Raiders had three medalists in three different weight classes, compared to last year’s one. Malik Thomas ‘24 came in first for squat at 201-220 pounds with a 470 pound squat. Bryan Mclean ‘24 took home two medals with one first place medal with a 255 pound power clean and a third place medal with a 405 pound squat in 161-180. Quincy Carter ’26 took second in 160 pounds and under with a 315 pound squat.

Photo by Sarah Jadach: Jaylen Titus ’25 preparing to power clean 160 pounds.
Photo by Sarah Jadach: Quincy Carter ’26 power cleaning 160 pounds.
Photo by Sarah Jadach: Sean Franco ’25 power cleaning 185 pounds.
Photo by Sarah Jadach: Malik Thomas ’24 squatting 470 pounds.
Photo by Horatio Glover: Carter getting ready to squat 225 pounds.
Photo by Horatio Glover: Mclean squatting 340 pounds.
Photo by Horatio Glover: Brandon Robinson ’27 squatting 250 pounds.
Photo by Horatio Glover: Mclean preparing to bench 225 pounds.
Photo by Sarah Jadach: Savion Gaywood ’25 getting ready to bench 135 pounds.
Photo by Sarah Jadach: Alan Gatison ’27 setting up to bench 240 pounds.
Photo by Horatio Glover: Mclean in first for power clean.
Photo by Horatio Glover: Thomas in first for squat.
Photo by Horatio Glover: Carter in second for squat.
Photo by Horatio Glover: Mclean in third place for squat.