The girls will compete in the Regional Powerlifting meet at Commerce High School on March 2. They completed their last qualifier at home last week.
“I’ve coached powerlifting for over twenty years,” athletic director John Bachtel said. “We love what weightlifting does to people because when they get stronger, they feel better about themselves and it is just fun to watch the guys and girls work hard and get to see the result.”
To qualify for Region, one must be in the top 12 places of their weight class in order to advance. Then, at the regional level, the top 2 places at the Regional meet will advance to State, which will be held in Frisco March 13-16.
“I joined because both of my siblings in the past did it,” senior Lindsey Cockerell said. “I love powerlifting because it just makes you feel so strong and confident about yourself and the support from everyone else is great.”
The lifters are required to condition Monday through Thursday, with workouts consisting of squats, bench press, and deadlift. It is also mandatory to get an ice bath the day before a meet, so their muscles aren’t sore.
“I enjoy the adrenaline rush I get before lifting and the satisfaction of completing my lift,” senior Deyla Morgan said. “It gives me another reason to stay active in school.”
The Lady Eagles that have qualified for Region are: freshmen Rylie Stone and sophomore Auren Adams in the 105 weight class, senior Emma Jo Smith and sophomore Mackenzie Allen in the 114 weight class, senior Lindsey Cockerell in the 123 weight class, senior Taylor Stone in the 132 weight class, senior Braela Habbit and freshmen Bryanna Willis in the 148 weight class, junior RaeAnne Rossiaky in the 198 weight class, sophomore Callie Morgan in the 242 weight class, and senior Destiny Dowell in the 242+ weight class.
