EMS ISD Powerlifters Represent All Four High Schools at State Meets
Powerlifters from all four EMS ISD high schools showcased their strength and determination on the state’s biggest stage this March. A total of 12 student-athletes — eight girls and four boys — earned their spot at the THSPA and THSWPA State Powerlifting Meets held in Abilene and Edinburg, Texas.
Saginaw High School led the charge with six total qualifiers — four girls and two boys — who pushed themselves to new personal and school records. Junior Bisola Olusomiro placed 4th in the 242+ weight class and set personal and school records across all three lifts. Senior Nghi Tran earned her second consecutive state appearance, finishing 9th in the 165-pound class and breaking the school record for deadlift.
Juniors Jordan Johnson (242) and Ashley Bailey (198) also qualified for state for the first time. Johnson placed 12th, while Bailey finished 9th — both setting school records and earning multiple gold medals during the season. The Lady Rough Riders placed 2nd as a team at district and 3rd at regionals.
On the boys’ side, seniors Michael Rodriguez (181) and Malik McCoy (220) made their state debuts. Both athletes broke school records in all three lifts during the season and earned two first-place finishes apiece in regular-season meets.
Boswell High School was represented by junior Xander Thacker and junior Savannah Garcia. Thacker competed in the 181-pound weight class and totaled a massive 1,380 pounds across squat, bench, and deadlift — including a new personal best of 330 pounds on bench press. Garcia delivered one of her best performances of the year in the girls’ state meet with a 620-pound total.
Chisholm Trail High School saw sophomores Sydney Wikane and Tatiana Flores step up to the state level. While neither placed, Head Coach Pierre Leonard said both athletes competed with strength and resilience and are expected to make a return trip next year.
Eagle Mountain High School rounded out EMS ISD’s state presence with two standout boys: sophomore Korbyn Barton and junior Jack Garcia. Barton placed 7th in the 198-pound weight class with a 1,480-pound total, including personal bests in squat (610) and deadlift (550). Garcia competed in the highly competitive 123-pound class and finished with a 940-pound total.
“We are extremely proud of both of these young men,” said EMHS Head Coach Will Kates. “They represented our campus with class and grit on the biggest stage.”
With student-athletes from Saginaw, Boswell, Chisholm Trail, and Eagle Mountain all advancing to state, EMS ISD had representation from every high school, demonstrating the district’s continued strength in the sport of powerlifting.
