MOBILE, Ala. – While the University of South Alabama football program was not on the field Sunday, several members of the program as well as the school's strength and conditioning coaching staff assisted at the Alabama State Powerlifting Championships.

The event — which was held at the Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion at USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park — included 94 participants, 30 of which were part of Special Olympics Alabama.  The meet was sanctioned by USA Powerlifting, with individuals qualifying for national championships in multiple weight classes in age groups ranging from 10 to 70-plus years old.

USA's representatives assisted for five hours, including helping Special Olympics competitors into the proper position, ensuring the weight racks were in a safe position for those individuals and encouraging them throughout the meet.  They also spotted lifters and assisted with loading and unloading weight.

A Special Olympics Team representing Alabama will compete at the national meet in Princeton, N.J., in June.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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