Hayden High School has yet to win a team state championship in a sports officially sanctioned by the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

But when the AHSAA decides to give its blessing to some of its so-called “emerging sports,” the Wildcats have a leg up.

After winning last year’s state high school bass fishing title, the Wildcats took the Class 5A power lifting crown Saturday in a meet at Enterprise.

The Wildcats took 14 contestants to the meet, and four of them finished with top-medals, and four more placed in the top 10 of their weight classes. Freshman Luke Wall was the runner-up in the 181-lb. class, and the top finisher overall for Hayden. He had the best squat lift in his class of 385 pounds.

Josh Helms (148 lbs.) had the best power-clean lift in his weight class with a 220-lb. effort, and Damon Brown (205 lbs.) came up with the top bench press of 330 pounds.

Helms, Brown and John Jennings (232 lbs.) each placed fourth in their weights. Pat Hargett and Bailey Smith were sixth and ninth, respectively, at 132 pounds; Josh Jinright was eighth at 165; and Tyler Swindle was seventh at 275.

About 600 competitors took part in the meet, according to Lance Kennedy, who coaches Hayden’s team along with Steve Kerby. The event was co-sponsored by the Alabama National Guard.