Both the boys and girls powerlifting teams will bring home state banners after finishing on the podium at the state powerlifting meet in Wellington on Saturday. 

It’s the fourth straight year the girls team will bring home a banner, this one celebrating their highest finish at state: second place. 

For the boys, it’s their first time breaking into the top three. They finished third.  

“If you look at the room right now here at state, it’s the same kids that continue to show up at 6:20 every morning,” head coach Scott Russell said. “It’s the kids that continue to dedicate themselves daily.”

For the girls team, freshman Brooklyn Kessler took third in the 105-pound weight class. Senior Lianna Mueting finished second in the 123-pound weight class.

Senior Arianna Etter won the 148-pound weight class with senior Abby Fager in third. 

Etter also took a state title in squat.

“I lifted for my team,” Etter said. “That’s who I do it for. I do it for my team.”

Sophomore Caroline Winton won the state title in clean and finished first overall in the 165-pound weight class and finished third overall. Also in the 165-pound weight class, sophomore Lillian Mueting won the state title in bench and finished third overall.

Sophomore Emree Gabriel finished third in the 180-pound weight class. Senior Avery Williams finished third in the powerweight division.

“All of these girls are the hardest workers I know,” Etter said. 

Senior Nathan Reber snagged a state title in the clean for the 148-pound weight class and finished third overall. 

Senior Ethan Winton finished second in the 198-pound weight class and won the state title in the squat and clean.  

“My teammates made it the most fun I could ever have,” Winton said.

Winton said he will take skills like grit and determination with him in his next steps. He said powerlifting teaches you to appreciate long-term gratification.  

“That team aspect of lifting is definitely something I’m going to miss,” Winton said. “Because you can’t get any better than morning workouts, just a group of people all trying to push each other to get better.”

Russell said he was proud of the team and how they competed. The two state banners are a testament to how the athletes have continued to push each other to improve, he said.

“It just feels like the culture of our program and the kids continues to grow, not just by size, but just how connected the kids are and invested in each other,” he said.

Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]