WIESBADEN, Germany — Three Pacific student-athletes captured top honors in their weight categories in the second Department of Defense Dependents Schools Lift-Off, an unofficial worldwide bench-pressing competition organized by educator David Eidem of Wiesbaden High School in Germany.

Lifters’ results were recorded at their schools by coaches and athletic directors. Each lifter was weighed, then his or her bench-press result recorded and forwarded to Eidem.

Sophomore Alyssa Gray and junior Ashley Marquardt of Seoul American and freshman Josh Bales scored the highest percentages among competitors in their weight groups in the worldwide competition featuring 208 total lifters in 18 divisions.

Gray scored a 97.2 percent in the girls’ 10th-grade A group; she weighs 108 pounds and benched 105. Marquardt scored 79.7 in the girls’ 11th-grade A category; she weighs 138 and benched 110. Bales, who weighs 122 pounds and benched 160, scored 131.1 percent in the boys’ ninth-grade A division.

Seoul American’s contingent of 38 lifters led all Pacific schools in entries, followed by Kubasaki (13), Nile C. Kinnick of Japan (9) and Taegu American of South Korea (2).

The event, in its second year, was organized by Eidem to promote weight training among high school athletes.

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