Often times a strong weight program is the foundation of a successful athletic program.

The Morgan Senators are well aware of this, and their student-athletes recently displayed the strength it takes to do the job.

Morgan took 22 athletes to Pickens Academy for the Alabama Independent Schools Association State Power Meet and brought home a number of honors.

Bob Taylor, athletic director and head football coach at Morgan Academy, said he’s very pleased with how the Senators performed in only their second year going as a group.

“It was a great weightlifting meet. We had several that placed in the top five in their weight class, and I was pleased overall with how we did as a group,” Taylor said. “We took 22 kids total and took five girls with us. We were trying to cover all the weight classes. We came within a couple of points of winning class 3A. That tells me we’re doing something right with our weight program right now.”

The Senators finished second in Class 3A as a group, behind Bessemer Academy.

Morgan’s Dillon Steward won the 242-lb class, while Parker Hughes won the 205-lb class.

Morgan’s Adam King finished third in the 220-lb class, while Mary-Peyton Deer finished third in the 125-lb and under class, and Samir Freij finished second in the 140-lb class.

Taylor said all students who went along for the trip did well, and Morgan hopes to build upon the success at the next meet.

“I was real proud of Parker and Dillon, being seniors going out, proud of Adam for doing well in his weight class, and Samir finished tied for his and it came down to total weight and he loss because he weighed a little more than the other guy,” Taylor said. “Mary-Peyton, the girls started lifting four weeks ago and she placed third in her weight class, so that’s good for them. We’re going to try to get more people involved next year and maybe take an even bigger group.”