Colts Neck wins Freehold Regional District liftoff
Repeat win for Martin;` record for Carter

There was something new and something old at the annual Freehold Regional District Liftoff.

The new was Colts Neck’s first-ever win in the bench press competition. The Cougars hosted the event this year and scored a narrow 72-63 1/2 win over Freehold Borough. Freehold Township was third (51 1/2), and Manalapan fourth (45 1/2). Marlboro (39 1/2) and Howell (35 1/2) were fifth and sixth.

The old was Ahmir Martin’s repeat win. The Freehold Township football player bench-pressed 285 pounds to win the 225-pound weight division.

Freehold Borough’s Bryce Carter added something new as well, like a new record. Carter, competing in the heavyweight division, lifted 365 pounds, topping the old mark of 350 set by Freehold Township’s Aaron Winik (350).

With both Colts Neck and Freehold Borough having five winners, the team title was decided by the Cougars having more second- and third-place finishers.

Victories in four consecutive weight classes (190-215) helped pave the way for Colts Neck’s win. Curtis Anzur (300), Lamar Griffin (300), Brandon Emenike (285) and Kurt Guinee (315) won at 190, 195, 205 and 215, respectively, for the Cougars. Mike Moore was Colts Neck’s other winner at 165 (275).

Freehold Borough dominated the middle weights. Steve Hodge won at 170 (260), Terrance Howard at 175 (270) and Dave Carbonara was first at 180 (290). Mike Baldwin won at 150 (225). The fifth win was Carter’s record-breaking effort at heavyweight.

Freehold Township had two winners — Jesse Shenkar at 160 (230) and two-time winner Martin.

Marlboro had a pair of winners at the lower weights — Vincent Su won at 130 (215) and Mike Pontiero at 140 (240).

Mike LaMagna was Manalapan’s lone winner at 185 (290).

— Tim Morris