Clarkton holds second annual Night of Champions weightlifting event

CLARKTON – After several Reindeer student athletes showed out to display the hard work they put in during summer weightlifting sessions, 20 athletes were inducted into the Iron Deer Club in the second year of Clarkton High School’s Night of Champions showcase event on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

Six boys and 14 girls were named to the Iron Deer Club, which recognizes those students who attended at least 80% of Clarkton’s weightlifting sessions.

James Johnson, Brinley Cowart, Angel Johnson and Kaylee Youngblood all made it to 100% of the summer lifting workouts.

Clarkton coach and athletic director Cole McBroom said that he is proud of the dedication shown by the students this year.

“I’ve never heard a professional athlete say ‘man, I really wish I didn’t get as strong as I did,’” McBroom said. “We definitely want to use this time to help ourselves in all of our sports, but the weight room is also such a great place to teach kids discipline. It’s easy to see that if you put in the work then you see the results, and if you don’t put in the work then you won’t have any results.”

During the event, students showed the progress they have made in push press, power clean, bench press and squats.

With parents, community members and every high school coach watching on and helping out, Clarkton’s three “big guys” moved a combined 3,315 pounds, drawing cheers from everyone in the gym.

After adding up maxes of all four competitions, Talon Jones moved 1,060 pounds, James Johnson moved 1,065 pounds and Clayton Godsey moved 1,190 pounds.

Clarkton baseball and basketball athlete Clayton Godsey attempts a power clean personal record during the Night of Champions on Thursday, July 27.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“It’s pretty big,” Godsey said after squatting 430 pounds to cap off the night. “I was hoping I could do more, but there’s more to come. We’re just doing all we can. This summer, I was mainly hoping we could work on our team getting more chemistry after having some guys move on. It takes a lot of mentality to keep going and keep doing this.”

McBroom and volleyball coach Amy Cowart both began challenging their students in “lifting to their potential,” two years ago following the volleyball season. Strength and conditioning wasn’t previously a point of emphasis, but now it’s become an integral aspect of preparing for the coming seasons.

“It’s been a great summer,” McBroom said. “From the get-go, we knew our numbers for basketball would be a bit lower, but we’re still excited and we had a lot of guys be at 80% or right there near it. I think all of our students have benefited from this. They’re all stronger athletes than they were two years ago.”

McBroom said that weightlifting certainly has the potential “to help in the win-loss column,” but it’s not the only incentive. Both coaches noted the importance that the program has had on players’ mental health and confidence as well.

While preparing for the volleyball season, many girls in attendance had a quick turnaround after returning from the Licking Summer Volleyball Camp in Branson earlier this week. With 110 teams in contention, Cowart said the team played competitively all the way through.

At the end, Brinley Cowart was named to the All Camp Team.

“I can see it in everything I do,” Cowart said of the weightlifting program. “Now I’m getting up a lot more weight, but as a team I think weightlifting has been a big part in our success.”

Clarkton’s volleyball season begins with two away games against Delta C-7 and Puxico. The Reindeer’s home opener will take place against Cooter on August 29, at 5 p.m.