By Paige Nash
Powerlifting in the state of Louisiana has become the fastest growing Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) sport. In 2014 the LHSAA had a total of 80 powerlifting schools, that number has now more than doubled.
The sport has picked up steam since 2013, when the LHSAA decided to begin the four-year long process that includes two years as a pilot program, to add powerlifting as an official LHSAA sport with its own LHSAA championship.
Lakeside High School’s powerlifting team is fairly new to the game, but they are on the fast-track to breaking records and possibly earning the school’s first powerlifting championship title.
Their first team was established in August 2021 and at that time the whole team consisted of a single participant, Trinity Easom, and one coach, Fabrica Roberson.
What began as a way to improve her strength in an effort to help with her softball playing, Trinity began lifting weights with her dad, Adam. During her time in the gym, she was continually approached by bystanders who encouraged her to look into taking up powerlifting. Coach Roberson, who was also a member of the gym that Trinity trained at, watched from the rail until the pair decided to investigate a way that they could add powerlifting as an official sport at LHS.
They reached out to anyone and everyone that knew anything about powerlifting across North Louisiana. They met with the school principal, faculty members and students to try to generate support, explaining the benefits that the sport would bring to the school.
“My goal as principal is to find extracurriculars for every student at Lakeside,” said LHS Principal Denny Finley. “Powerlifting is appealing to a wide range of the student body and is showing potential in becoming a major sport at Lakeside. Powerlifting can actually be a lifetime sport versus some of the more traditional sports on campus.”
In their efforts, they established the LHS Powerlifting team and picked up 3 other members along the way. Kris Redden, Bruce Bunton and Krystal Cornelius excitedly hopped on as passengers of this fast-moving locomotive.
Then, the competitions began.
Each lifter is put into a weight class that aligns with the school’s division. LHS is currently a 2A school. The weight classes range from 97 pounds to 220+ pounds, also known as the super heavyweight division. In regular season meets, the lifter only places in overall weight classes, but when they travel to the state meet, lifters are placed by division within their weight classes.
Each lifter must complete a squat, a deadlift and a bench-press. The total combined weight lifted is tallied together to equal their total weight lifted.
Last season, the LHS powerlifting team was only able to compete in two regular season meets before the regional meet. At the time they were not on the radar as far as fierce competition goes, being so new to the sport. It was during the first meet that took place at Southwood High school that competing teams and coaches began to take notice. Trinity, a junior at the time, took home a first-place medal. She concluded that first season with an overall third-place finish at the state meet held at the University of Monroe, with a total of 855 pounds of weight lifted.
Lakeside’s Powerlifting team quickly became the “little engine that could.”
A new season brought on heightened interest and the team grew from four to nine- five girls and four boys.
The girls’ regional meet was held this past Saturday, February 18, at Ruston High School. Out of the four girls representing and competing, all four qualified for the state championship in their respective weight classes. The now Senior, Trinity placed first place with a total combined weight of 1,010 pounds for her three lifts. Senior, Krystal Cornelius placed second with a total of 655 pounds. Freshman Madison Miller placed first in her weight class with a total of 725 pounds lifted and freshman Ashlyn Ricketson finished second with a total of 580 pounds lifted.
The boys regional meet will be held this coming Saturday, February 25, at Calvary Baptist Academy where the four boys, Conner Woods, C.J. Davis, Moderick Franklin and Isiah Love will compete to earn a spot at the state championship.
The Louisiana State Powerlifting Association State competition will be held March 22 – 25 at the Cajundome in Lafayette where students will travel from all parts of the state to compete.