Greenville High School sophomore Alexis Waddell is headed to the state powerlifting meet after capturing the THSWPA Region 3 Championship in the 105-pound weight class on Saturday, February 28 at Royce City High School.
In just her first year competing in powerlifting, Waddell earned first place at the regional meet and qualified for the state competition, which will be held March 21 in Edinburg, Texas.
Waddell competes in three events: squat, bench press, and deadlift. At the regional meet, she posted a combined total of 610 pounds, including a 225-pound squat, a 140-pound bench press, and a 245-pound deadlift. She also set new personal records in both bench and deadlift, improving her previous bench mark from 120 pounds and her deadlift from 210 pounds.
Earlier this season, Waddell placed first at a qualifying meet with a total of 545 pounds to advance to regionals. From there, she continued to build momentum.
When asked about the moment she realized she had won and secured her spot at state, Waddell described the experience as overwhelming.
“I was shook,” she said. “I was very excited, but I was in shock mode. Everyone was screaming and I was just standing there.”
Her teammates did not let the moment pass quietly. As soon as she completed her lift, they rushed to celebrate with her.
According to head coach Jeff Middleton, the emotion was immediate.
“As she was walking up to the bar, I told her, ‘You get this, you go to state,’” Middleton said. “As soon as she finished the lift, she was screaming and all the other girls swarmed her. It was a cool moment. She works her tail off.”
Consistency has been a key factor in Waddell’s success. She has only missed one practice all season and continues to focus on lifting, stretching, and maintaining healthy habits as she prepares for state.
“I want to beat my records,” Waddell said when asked about her goals for the state meet.
Middleton believes she has a legitimate shot to make noise at the next level. Based on early projections, Waddell is currently sitting around sixth place heading into the state meet, where the top five lifters earn a spot on the podium.
“Having the opportunity to go to the state meet is a big deal,” Middleton said. “Last year both of our girls made regionals but did not qualify for state. Hopefully this shows other girls in the building that powerlifting is something they can do.”
Now, as she prepares for the long trip to Edinburg later this month, Waddell is focused on continuing to improve and representing Greenville High School on one of the biggest stages in Texas high school powerlifting.
