The Georgia IronDawgs powerlifting team began 2011 the same way they ended 2010, as they defended their home turf Saturday at the IronDawg Open Bench Press Championships at Ironbeast Barbell in Gainesville.

Talia Whittle of Cumming and Gainesville’s Tim “T” Moon, a Jefferson High alumnus, earned Best Lifter Trophies. Whittle, lifting in the Women’s Open Raw (unequipped) category, benched 135 pounds in the 67.5 kilogram (148.81 pound) weight class.

Moon battled through shoulder problems to press 585 pounds for the heaviest bench of the day in taking the Master’s Men’s Equipped 125 kilogram (275.58 pounds) first-place plaque and Men’s Best Lifter Trophy.

Another Jefferson alum, Oakwood’s R. Garry Glenn, pressed 375 pounds and took home the plaque for the Master Men’s 55-59, 90 kilogram (198.41 pounds) category.

East Hall graduate Tyler Brown won the Men’s Junior 308-plus class at 475 pounds, and then set his 23rd state and 16th national record when he was successful on a fourth lift for 500 pounds.

West Hall senior John Collier lifted in his first meet since the 2009 Georgia Games and was happy with his first-place lift of 305 pounds and taking the Teen 100 kilogram (220.46 pounds) Equipped class.

Brenau strength coach Gary Hatfield of Gainesville added to his many trophies with a bench of 490 pounds in the Master Men’s 50-54, 100 kilogram Equipped class. Veteran lifter, Gainesville’s George Bradley, took home another first with his press of 225 pounds in winning the Master Men’s 50-54, 67.5 kilogram Equipped class.

Gainesville’s Chris Simpson was first in the Master Men’s 50-54 Equipped 140 kilogram (308.64 pounds) class with his lift of 475 pounds.