AMORY - Even though he may be mistaken for former Ole Miss running back and recent NFL draftee Dexter McCluster, Amory resident Joe Morrow has made his own name in the world of powerlifting.

"I actually had a young kid and his mom walk up to me in the food court at the mall," Morrow recalled of a visit to The Mall at Barnes Crossing in Tupelo last November. "She said, 'My son wanted me to ask you if were Dexter McCluster.' This was the week after his breakout game against Tennessee. I really wanted to claim to be Dexter McCluster that week."

Two weeks ago, however, the former Amory High football player capped off an impressive showing at the APA Raw National Powerlifting, Bench Press and Deadlift Championships in Hattiesburg that many would wish to duplicate.

Competing at a body weight of 143 pounds, the 5-foot-2 Morrow won the men's open championship for the 148-pound weight class by lifting a total of 1,482 pounds (squatting 534.5 pounds, bench pressing 347 pounds and deadlifting 600.7 pounds).

Heavy medals

Also competing in all three divisions, the 27-year-old took home first-place honors in the 148-pound Men's Open Full Power (best lifter award), 148-pound Men's Open Bench Only and the 148-pound Men's Deadlift Only (best lifter award).

His squat, deadlift and total weight lifted on Saturday set APA American/WPA World Raw records. Morrow's bench press tied the APA American/WPA World Raw record.

At a body weight of 144 pounds, he set an all-time Raw Powerlifting record of 1,415 total pounds lifted in the APA Southern State Holiday Classic on Dec. 19.

"The name of this game is perseverance," Morrow said. "Having dedication and discipline."

Morrow is ranked No. 1 in the 148-pound American Raw Lifter Rankings, No. 16 in the American Raw Power Rankings (all weight classes) and No. 26 in the World Raw Power Rankings (all weight classes).

Last week, he was honored by the Mississippi House of Representatives, Mississippi Senate and the State Games of Mississippi for being named the 2009 ATamp&T Male Sportsman of the Year after last year's State Games. Morrow was awarded a resolution from the state legislature, and a medal from the National Congress of Games.

"With all the health issues that Mississippi is ranked so high in, in all the bad stuff, I really wanted to do something to grab attention," Morrow said of his motive to inspire those around him to live a healthy lifestyle. "Someone who looks like your average lightweight can grab your attention. I enjoy what I do."

Contact John Wilbert at 678-1572 or john.wilbert@djournal.com