While the sport of powerlifting has always been around, the popularity of competing was mainly in the smaller Oklahoma schools. That was until a few years ago when both MacArthur High School (MHS) and Eisenhower High School (EHS) started having teams compete. Fast forward to 2025, and Lawton Public Schools (LPS) had multiple medalists at the State Powerlifting Meet.
The Eisenhower girls had a great performance at their State Meet. The team finished fourth overall with 54 total points. Senior Kaniah Shaw claimed the State Championship, lifting 945 pounds with a state record 400 pounds on the squat. Freshman Jeanaya Hogue finished second in her weight class, lifting 805 pounds. Sophomore Isabella Mussellman earned the Eagles points with her 560 pounds lifted as did senior Skylar Myers with her 565 total pounds.
For the boys, the Eagles, who were their Regional Champions, had the highest finish, claiming fourth place in the large school team standings with 20 points. All of those came from junior Austin Bartek, who finished second at 220 with 1,475 total pounds lifted. EHS also had sophomore Chase Beadle, sophomore Anthony Rodriguez II, and sophomore Tyler Cochran qualify. In the ninth grade meet, EHS’s Devonta Halliburton lifted 860 pounds and earned the team three points. Eisenhower Middle School (EMS) had eight eighth graders and seven seventh graders qualify and seventh grader Josiah Davis placed fifth at 132 with 680 pounds lifted.
MacArthur, who was the Regional runner-up, was led by junior Shaun Hughes, who gave his team 15 points, finishing third at 198 with 1,385 total pounds lifted. Hughes was joined at the meet with teammates senior Kayden Garrett and sophomore Conner Claborn. The MacArthur Middle School (MMS) Scots had eight qualify for the junior high meet and eighth grader Tristan Kibble earned the team points with his 800 pounds lifted at 168.