Left to right: Jim Putnam, Pedro Amado, Robert Bodwell and Rodney Borders.

The team members as a group won 41 medals (all of them Gold);  6 Best Lifter Awards, 3 State Bench Press Championship Trophies; 3 State Deadlift Championship Trophies; 3 State Push/Pull Championship Trophies and 2 Championship Team Awards. Their team set 136 Cleveland County records of which 43 are now current. They also set 57 N.C. State Records, with 22 of those being current, as they broke many of their own records just previously set.  That brings the total of current N.C. State Records to a total of 150! They also set 49 regional records (their region consists of 11 different states) with 19 of those being current.

Rodney Borders won 3 State Championship Awards after a two year absence from the team. Everyone was glad to have him back, as an important part of our team. In addition, Co-Captain and volunteer, Mr. Bill Putnam won 3 State Championship Awards.

James Spikes won 3 Teen Best Lifter Awards, one from each event of the contest. Robert Bodwell won the Deadlift Outstanding Lifter Award, while Jim Putnam took both the Push/Pull Outstanding Lifter Award and the Bench Press Outstanding Lifter Award. Coach Jim Putnam also won 3 State Championship Awards, as the team captain. The Championship Powerlifting Team credits their hard work, dedication, strength level and victories to Jesus Christ without which none of these accomplishments would have been possible!

Mr. Jon Fleisher, Mr. Mark Pritchett, Joy Johnston and Officer Collins, provided instrumental support in these accomplishments through their leadership of our facility, their love of our students, as well as their high expectations and motivation of our staff and students to always attempt to growth. The Turning Point Academy Staff was also an important ingredient by the way they have worked to encourage these young men and women.

In total the Nautilus-Phoenix Powerlifting Team has won: 10 1st place Cleveland County Championships; 7 1st place team trophies for male teams; 3 1st place team trophies for female teams; 18 Best Lifter Awards; 7 State Bench Press Championship Trophies; 5 State Deadlift Championship Trophies; 5 State Push/Pull Championship Trophies; 378 gold medals; 53 silver medals; 12 bronze medals, for a total of 443 powerlifting championship medals.

We plan to continue these types of activities in the future for students in alternative programs and to represent Cleveland County Schools in a very positive way! If you would like information about the Nautilus - Phoenix Powerlifting Team or Shout4Education please contact Jim Putnam at 704-487-6128 or 704-482-5913.