A sophomore at Sabine High School is heading to the platform as the youngest girl to qualify for the Texas High School Women's Powerlifting (THSWPL) meet in the school.
Erika Lowry started powerlifting at the end of her freshman year, and picked up the sport as a way to stay conditioned for softball. It didn't take her long fall in love with the sport, and make it her focus.
"It's really cool that I can lift more than some of the guys at our school, or I have the same max as some of our seniors that are in football," she said.
She has a total of 900 pounds, with a 200 lb bench press, 350 lb squat and 350 lb deadlift. Her total ranks her 10th in the state for her weight class, competing in the 220 lb class.
Powerlifting consists of three lifts: a squat, bench press and the deadlift.
Competitors get three attempts for each lift. The best lift from each is added up as a total, and that is how athletes are ranked. Powerlifters compete in weight classes.
Sabine powerlifting coach Jerry Griffith said he's seeing more girls joining in on the strength sport, slowly seeing stereotypes fade.
"A lot of girls are starting to realize that they can be strong without being manly," Griffith said.
Coach Griffith said Erika is the life of the party, always giving her best effort. He said he's beyond proud of her, and hoping for a medal at state.
"Powerlifting has brought me a lot of confidence, because you have no choice but to walk in front of everyone in the gym and look your worst," Erika said. "Looking at your worst, all the girls from other schools going against you [say] you look your best."
The THSWPL meet is Saturday, March 17 in Waco.
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