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"Joe Cuevas, Sequoyah Senior, lifts weights during the District 2A-8 powerlifitng meet at Sequoyah School." TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – Sequoyah School muscled their way to the top of district 2A-8 to win the championship title, a first for the school who is fairly new to the sport. Earning a total of 231 team points to win first place, Sequoyah is on to the next round of competition where the weight and the competition will get a little heavier. “Most of these kids lift (weights) everyday at 6 a.m., during lunch and during their athletics class,” said Scott Martin, Sequoyah powerlifting coach. “We had a good football season and the momentum just carries on throughout the rest of the year.” Many of the football players participate in weightlifting during the off-season to stay in shape and prepare physically for football season. “It builds better athletes,” said Brent Scott, Sequoyah football coach. “They work at it all year long.” Sequoyah started a powerlifting program three years ago and only had four students participate at that time. Last year 18 students competed with two qualifying for the Oklahoma State Powerlifting competition. This year, 53 students are on the powerlifting team and the coaches expect to have several state qualifiers. Regional competition will be held March 2 at Chandler High School with qualifying lifters advancing to State in McCloud, March 9-10.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org