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Trojans win Region 4-3A powerlifting title

By STAFF REPORTS STAFF REPORTS
Fri,01/30/26-12:00PM, 1,477 Reads
The West Marion boys powerlifting team claimed the Region 4-3A championship Friday at St. Patrick, sending 10 lifters to the South State meet later this month.
Ten of the team’s 12 competitors placed in the top three of their respective weight classes to qualify for South State, scheduled for Feb. 28 in Quitman.
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Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.

Teammates lock in around Braylon Johnson during player introductions on Dec. 30. The gesture of support came just moments before the opening whistle of the home battle against the Petal Panthers.

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Johnson leads Wildcats to 1-seed

By JOSHUA CAMPBELL JOSHUA CAMPBELL - Publisher
Wed,02/11/26-12:00PM, 1,443 Reads
Thanks to a breakout performance by Wildcats junior Braylon Johnson, Columbia is entering the Region 7-4A Tournament as the No. 1 seed on its home court.
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West Marion’s show choir, New Era, shows off its first-place trophy for winning the South Jones Show Choir Invitational Saturday.

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New Era starts competition season with a bang

By SUBMITTED TO C-P SUBMITTED TO C-P
Wed,01/28/26-2:00PM, 1,363 Reads
West Marion High School’s show choir, "New Era," opened its competition season Saturday at the South Jones Show Choir Invitational, earning top honors and caption awards.
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Photo by Joshua Campbell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.

West Marion’s Eli Smith inks a scholarship with Jones College on National Signing Day Feb. 4 while surrounded by friends and family.

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Trojans long snapper signs with Jones

By JOSHUA CAMPBELL JOSHUA CAMPBELL - Publisher
Wed,02/11/26-12:30PM, 1,295 Reads
There are very few long snapper positions available at the collegiate level, but West Marion senior Eli Smith has secured one of them. Smith, who also started for the Trojans at center, signed a letter of intent to play at Jones College on National Signing Day Feb. 4 to continue his playing career.
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