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FRISCO — The Elgin High School girls varsity powerlifting team won the 5A DII State Championship meet March 16 with three individual state champions and a runner-up. With 26 points, the Lady Wildcats were able to edge defending 2023 champion Edcouch-Elsa High School to take the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association crown home.
Elgin, under Head Coach Jacob Rowe, came up just one point short at the 2023 THSWPA state meet behind Edcouch-Elsa but won it all in 2024.
"I am so thankful for this team," Rowe said. "They have worked so hard the last four years to reach this goal. All they wanted to do was bring pride to their town, to their families, and to this team and they did that at the highest level of competition in Texas. They are a fantastic group of young ladies and I am so thankful for their sacrifice and hard work."
Nya Kirk Jones won gold in the 242-and-over class with 1,345 total pounds lifted: 555 on the squat, 335 on the bench press and 455 on the deadlift.
Maria Yanez placed first in the 123-pound class with 915 total pounds lifted: 405 on the squat, 190 on the bench press and 320 on the deadlift.
Elizabeth Nunez was the winner of the 114-pound class with 875 total pounds lifted: 375 on the squat, 200 on the bench press and 300 on the deadlift.
"When I took over as head coach four years ago, Nya, Maria, and Elizabeth were freshmen," Rowe said. "They bought into this program and into the vision of being the best powerlifting team in the state. Saturday showed that hard work and discipline truly pays off. They committed to four years of hard work and ended their career with golds. There is not a greater testimony towards commitment and hard work. I am so thankful for these young ladies, as well as our other senior state team members Deysy, Danielle and Mayra for what they have done for this town and program."
Jordin Seeger was a state runner-up with a silver medal in the 148-pound class with 980 total pounds lifted: 380 on the squat, 230 on the bench press and 370 on the deadlift.
"Jordin is another fantastic lifter and I’m so excited she is with us for one more year," Rowe said. "We knew going into state that she had to get second. She did exactly what she was supposed to do and had a fantastic day. She did what the team needed her to do rather than chasing numbers for her own personal gain. She is a true team player and I’m so glad she was rewarded for that."
Danielle King placed seventh in the 148-pound class with 830 total pounds lifted: 320 on the squat, 230 on the bench press and 280 on the deadlift.
Zoey Smith placed eighth in the 105-pound class with 585 total pounds lifted: 260 on the squat, 105 on the bench press and 220 on the deadlift.
JaLiyah Price placed ninth in the 220-pound class with 910 total pounds lifted: 340 on the squat, 240 on the bench press and 330 on the deadlift.
Grace Hagen came in ninth place in the 198-pound class with 835 total pounds lifted: 330 on the squat, 180 on the bench press and 325 on the deadlift.
Deysy Sanchez also placed ninth in the 123-pound class with 700 total pounds lifted: 250 on the squat, 195 on the bench press and 255 on the deadlift.
