3 attempts to lift, 3 spotters surround you, 3 judges sit there and evaluate every last movement, and 3 little lights determine your fate at State. 

  8 of the PLHS powerlifters medaled at the State competition at Midlands College the weekend of February 25 and 26. Girls triumphed over 11 other schools and took 3rd place overall, winning the first trophy for PLHS Powerlifting. 

  State is not an easy place to compete at, but with preparation and dedication the Monarch’s finished strong. 

Some people crumble in a competitive environment, others like Nova Degbe thrived in it. 

“I was honestly really pumped,” Degbe said. “Everything went really well at the meet and  when I was done I was insanely proud of me and my teammates.”

The competition ran smooth according to Degbe, but Charlie Pyle believes there were some challenges. 

“We had problems with the warm up room because there weren’t enough racks,” Pyle said. “On squat we almost missed our flight because of it.”

Getting up on the platform and preforming in front of the judges is something some would deem stressful, but for others that was the least of their worries. 

“The only time I felt stressed was making sure to make it to my flight on time,” said Degbe. 

Lifting and warming up are obvious keys to success with powerlifting, but these are not the only important things to prepare yourself for a big competition. 

“Besides warming up I went to sleep earlier and would eat well,” Pyle said. 

Though these powerlifters got up on the platforms and lifted by themselves in front of the crowd, they were never truly alone. 

“I would dedicate my season to my coaches [Young, Kennedy, and Cassie] for the support, training and advice,” Degbe said. “And my mom for always being amazing.” 

This years State competition was a win for PLHS and the powerlifters, but some of them are not done winning yet.

“For state next year my goal is to beat my own PRs and place first again,” Degbe said. 

Although the 3rd place trophy is a major accomplishment,  some of the lifters are itching to win the 1st place trophy next season.