Arnold wins gold at THSWPA State Meet

By TJ MAXWELL
Cove Leader-Press

WACO – One year ago, Alyssa Arnold earned a silver medal at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association state meet in Waco by lifting the same amount as her opponent but lost the gold due to her opponent being a little bit lighter.
This year, Arnold left nothing to chance. She outlifted her next opponent by nearly 300 pounds to take the gold medal in the 259-plus weight class.
Arnold lifted a combined 1,305 pounds to best Zenaida Renteria of Abilene by a total of 265 pounds and the third-place finisher, Haley Blumrich of Pearland Dawson by 305 pounds.
The junior cleared 545 pounds in the squat, 310 in the bench press and 450 in the dead lift to claim the top spot. 
Although Arnold lifted 15-fewer pounds in the squat than last year, the junior increased both her bench press and dead lift totals to easily take the gold and increase last year’s combined total by 65 pounds. Arnold cleared 260 in the bench press last year and 420 in the dead lift for a total increase of 80 pounds.  
“She set a state record for her weight class in the 6A division with a bench press of 310 lbs. and a total lift record of 1305,” said assistant coach Cole Lander. “Alyssa is a junior and will be looking forward to defending her crown next season.”
Alyssa Wright, Maddison Sheumaker, Alisha Donnatien, and Alexxis Smith, also represented the Lady Dawgs at the state meet and set personal records.
Wright finished 10th in the 123-pound weight class with a total lift of 745 lbs. She cleared 300 lbs. in the squat, 155 lbs. in the bench press and 290 in the dead lift. She increased her 2018 total by 45 lbs. 
Jenacy Avitia of Donna North won the 123-pound classification with a total weight of 820 lbs. 
Sheumaker finished 13th in the 148-pound weight class with a total lift of 805 lbs. She cleared 310 in the squat, 185 in the bench press and 310 in the dead lift. 
Madalyn Whatley of Wylie won the 148-pound classification with a total weight of 1,015 lbs.
Alisha Donnatien finished 13th in the 198-pound weight class with a total lift of 795 lbs. She cleared 330 in the squat, 165 in the bench press and 300 in the dead lift. She bested her 2018 200-pound class performance by 15 pounds in a lighter weight class.
Tamia Smith of Mansfield Summitt won the 198-pound classification with a total weight of 1,030 lbs.
Alexxis Smith finished 13th in the 220-pound weight class with a total lift of 795 lbs. She cleared 300 in the squat, 205 in the bench press and 290 in the dead lift. 
Rheanne Lopez of Los Fresnos won the 220-pound classification with a total weight of 1,170 lbs.