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Carrying weight: South football holds annual Iron Man event

By Kerry Patrick 3 min read

PARKERSBURG - When Parkersburg South assistant football coach John Price saw Kooper Jackson's name still on the draft board for his No. 3 overall pick for Wednesday's Iron Man, it was a no-brainer which team would land the Patriot senior.

In addition to claiming the Parkersburg South Iron Man contest by a slim margin over classmate James Lattea at Erickson All-Sports Facility, Jackson joined a crew of seven Patriots selected to represent Team Price and eventually claim the team competition.

"I knew Kooper was a good contender to be the Iron Man for the Parkersburg South Patriots this year," said Price, who assembled picks based on overall athleticism. Members on the championship team included Eli Naylor, Clayton Reynolds, Dillon Gibson, Travis Caplinger, Paxton Baughman, Austin Carter and Jackson.

"I thought Kooper was going first in the draft," said Price on a day where a total of seven teams were represented and rotated between seven stations. "I went with kids I knew had strong skills that would benefit during these games."

Jackson nearly earned the honor two years in a row. Last year, he lost by one half point to Collin Hayes. Jackson finished among the top three in three categories, including first place in both the bench press and 16-pound medicine ball throw.

"I didn't really know what the Iron Man was until my freshman year," Jackson said. "I kind of got mad I didn't get it last year, but it's OK. Last year just lit a fire for me. This season, I have been working my butt off and just trying to get better and better each day.

"I thought I could win it this year - you just have to believe in yourself."

Jackson received plenty of support from Team Price, including Gibson and Carter. They joined a third Patriot as individuals to maxed out with 260 situps.

"The rope hanging station was my worst station for sure," Jackson said. "I had a good day on the bench press. I got 25 reps at 185 pounds. I had a cramp in the middle of it, so I feel I could have gotten more.. Again, it's OK."

As for Lattea, who will play slot receiver and safety for his senior year at South, he placed among the top three for two stations, including a tie for first place with Jackson in the medicine ball throw.

"I knew Kooper was going to be a tough guy to beat - he was the only guy I was worried about," Lattea said. "I knew he was going to be tough on the bench press.

"I kind of had a letdown on my situps. I didn't do too well over there. It was actually one of my first three events. I ate a lot of food before I came here today and I was not going too well."

A freshman - Katory Worstell, established a new record for the overhead squats with a count of 140. Other category winners included Asa Yost in the Hang and Clean, along with a nine-way tie in the rope freehand.

After announcing Tim Miller as the winner in the Farmer's Carry, South head football Larry Thompson added a footnote to his players he wasn't surprised by Miller's win because he walks to practice every day.

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