Two Killeen ISD student-athletes flexed their muscles in record-setting fashion on the way to becoming powerlifting state champions.
Killeen High senior Terriny Pace and Shoemaker senior Ashlynn Famule pumped plenty of iron and then climbed to the top of the podium at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association State Meet last week at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg.
Entered into the 242-plus pound weight class Pace, a Midland University signee, secured her state title Wednesday, March 12, in the Class 6A championships by posting a personal-best and meet-record 545-pound squat, 225-bench press and 470-pound deadlift for a winning total of 1,240 pounds.
Pace, who has been one of the better lifters in the state over the last two years, expressed excitement after claiming the top prize one year after a difficult regional meet ended her bid for state glory.
“I definitely think I wanted it more and I think I appreciate it more,” Pace said. “I know I had to work super hard for it. It’s a long time in the making, and I finally made it. I am on top. I did it, and it’s really cool.”
Pace stayed cool under pressure and thanked her teammates and coaches for their support in what she described as an incredible atmosphere.
In similar conditions two days later, Famule entered the 181-pound competition in the 6A unequipped state meet, aiming to defend her state crown from a year ago.
Lifters who participate in the unequipped category are permitted to utilize only a weight belt, singlet, wrist wraps and chalk, if they choose. That differs from competitors in the equipped portion of powerlifting who can use knee wraps, squat and deadlift bodysuits, and a bench shirt, plus the items above.
Famule dominated in defense, lifting a meet-record, 380-pound squat, 140-pound bench press and a record 420-pound deadlift for a 940 total that clinched the state championship by 105 pounds.
“It feels really, really great,” said Famule, who announced that she plans to attend University of Hawaii at Manoa to continue lifting collegiately. “The powerlifting community is so supportive, uplifting and encouraging.”
The two championships highlighted strong showings from a total of six from Killeen ISD entered into the state meet.
Also for the Lady Roos, Precious Tauiliili capped her first powerlifting season at the state meet, recording a 290-pound squat, 165-pound bench and 290-pound deadlift for a 745 total in the 242-pound weight class, finishing 12th.
And in the unequipped meet Killeen’s Meleana Price placed sixth with lifts of 320 on squat, 145 on bench and 320 on deadlift in the 242-pound class.
Chaparral had two regional champions vying for the state title Saturday in the Class 5A Division I meet in Alondra Rosario-Cartagena and Avery Wiltzius.
Rosario-Cartagena, who was a state runner-up last year, placed fourth this season in the 105-pound weight division after recording 265 on squat, 145 on bench press and 270 on deadlift for a 680 total.
Wiltzius went 285 on squat, 175 on bench and 305 on deadlift for a 765 total and 11th in the 123-pound competition.
