Ringgold High School Junior Tyrin Cunningham won 181 lb. class 1A state championship in powerlifting over the weekend!

Ringgold has its 1st state powerlifting champion in the 181 lb. division! Tyrin Cunningham, a junior at Ringgold High School has reached the gold standard in the sport of powerlifting. Cunningham outlifted nine other lifters at the state powerlifting meet on March 18th, which was held at Fant-Ewing Arena on the campus of the University of Louisiana Monroe. Tyrin wowed the crowd with his first lift squatting an impressive 430 lbs. He followed that up by benching 245 lbs. which separated himself from the pack. Lastly, he left no doubt with a powerful deadlift of 460 lbs.

If that wasn’t enough, Cunningham was being courted by several colleges wanting his services for powerlifting throughout the meet. Tyrin was complimented several times by the LHSAA judges about his impressive lifting skills, which only motivated him more to push forward. Through it all Tyrin stayed humble and appreciative of being the trailblazer for Ringgold High School. It was such a special moment to see his mom and grandmother there along with other family members rooting him on. After his major accomplishment Cunningham was already talking about repeating as the state champ next year! Powerlifting Coach Shon Trent stated…. “To see Tyrin stand on that podium witnessing him wearing the Ringgold logo on his chest just gave me confirmation that it’s “Ringgold’s Time to shine.” The “Gold Standard” era has officially begun!

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