Meadows is Moorpark High's strongest man
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

Senior defensive lineman/ running back Garrett Meadows did some heavy lifting during the Moorpark High football team's eighth annual Liftathon.

By putting up 345 pounds on the bench press, Meadows shattered the program's previous Liftathon record by 30 pounds.

"That's a very big number," MHS head coach Tim Lins said. "He's a very strong young man, that's for sure. He works very hard in the weight room, and it pays off for him."

Meadows, who stands 5foot-7 and weighs 180 pounds, said he's been training hard during the offseason with the hopes of establishing himself as a team leader.

"I'm trying to work hard in the weight room and everywhere else," Meadows said. "It's time to get really serious around here because summer is coming up."

The Liftathon is a fundraiser for the MHS football program. Players get local businesses and residents to sponsor them on a per-pound basis or by making a flat donation. It's the only day in which Musketeer players can compete for the bench-press record, Lins said.

The school's bench-press record is not the same as the Liftathon record, the coach added.

In addition to Meadows' record-breaking performance, the other top five finishers- quarterback Adam Barry, offensive lineman John Oviedo, defensive lineman Casey Blum and linebacker Taylor Ramsey- each lifted more than 300 pounds.

"Those guys broke the top five lifting record, too," Lins said"Barry was our top fundraiser."

While the total sponsorship dollars are still being talliedLins said he was grateful to those who lent their support.

"We want to thank the community, and especially the parents, for allowing this event to happen," he said. "The generosity of the parents and those involved with the program has always helped support Moorpark football."

Last weekend, the Musketeers competed in the 16-teamdouble elimination College of the Canyons Passing Tournament. They finished third overall.

Moorpark players and coaches will take a break until July 7, when they'll participate in an Adidas-sponsored passing tournament at UCLA.