The Girls Powerlifting State Qualifiers endured a long road trip to Edinburg, TX this weekend to compete with the strongest female powerlifters in the state. Byonka Donaldson, Melissa Farmer, Lauren Seidel, and Kennedy Weston did not let the long trip take away from this great opportunity. Lauren came in as the 11th qualifier and finished the day in 8th place. Byonka entered the contest as the 14th ranked qualifier and finished the day in 9th place in one of the most competitive weight classes of the meet.
Kennedy Weston experienced a roller coaster of emotions throughout the meet coming in as the 9th ranked qualifier. She had a great start to the meet by increasing her personal best in the squat by 30 lbs with a 360 lb lift. This put her into 4th place going into the Bench. The excitement of being in the running for a medal didn't last long though as she didn't achieve what she had hoped for in the Bench. This dropped her back down to 9th place going into the Deadlift. This didn't take away from her determination as she attacked more weight than she had ever attempted in the Deadlift, improving another 30 lbs for a total of 350. This brought her total weight for the day to a personal best of 865 lbs and back on the medal stand for 5th place.
Melissa Farmer's day wasn't quite as dramatic but definitely just as exciting. She entered the day in position to make a move for the medal stand as she qualified 6th entering the state meet. She achieved personal bests in the squat and the bench which kept her in 6th place going into the deadlift and a great position to make a move. And she did exactly that by lifting 350 lbs in the deadlift for a total of 900 lbs and a 5th place medal.
It was such an exciting day for our girls. This was one of the most successful years that we've had in a good while.