Greenville High School athletes Lagarin Savage and Kash Garcia are headed to the state powerlifting meet after impressive performances at the THSPA Region 3 competition. Savage, junior, captured first place in the 308-pound weight class, while Garcia, a senior, placed fifth in the 220-pound weight class. Both earned spots at the state tournament in Abilene on March 27–28.
Savage posted a combined total of 1,315 pounds, including a 490-pound squat, 290-pound bench press, and a 530-pound deadlift—a personal best in the deadlift. Garcia totaled 1,450 pounds, with a 585-pound squat, 405-pound bench press, and a 460-pound deadlift.
“It was exciting,” Savage said. “I was ready to go home and show my grandparents. I knew they'd love it.”
Garcia said he went into the competition with confidence. “I was just excited. I knew I was going to qualify for state, and that was really about it,” he said.
Both athletes, who have been Greenville Lions their entire lives, are proud to represent their school and community on the state stage.
“I just want to put my city out there and represent my friends and school,” Savage said. “It’s my school, my coaches, it means a lot.”
Training has been intense for both athletes. Savage works out twice a day most days, pushing himself to improve every lift, while Garcia stays consistent with his coach’s program and attends nearly daily sessions.
“I worked out really hard between district and regionals, sometimes twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon,” Savage said. “I just put in the time to get better.”
Head coach Jeff Middleton said he is proud of the boys’ effort and dedication.
“If you show up and you work hard, you get rewarded,” Middleton said. “These boys have put in the effort, and it’s paying off.”
The Greenville High School team will take on the state stage with confidence, ready to showcase the dedication, hard work, and hometown pride that got them there helping to put Greenville, Texas, on the map.
Savage and Garcia will be joining fellow Greenville Lions Alexis Waddell and Maddie Simpson, who also earned state qualifying titles this season, bringing Greenville High School’s total to four state qualifiers under Middleton’s coaching.