By Nelson Ochoa
Deondra Dowell, a first-year powerlifter, won the Regional Powerlifting meet in the 181 pound weight class on Thursday, Feb. 27, in White Oak.
Dowell advanced to the state competition by lifting a total of 780 pounds. She finished the day with a squat of 305 pounds, a bench press of 150 pounds, and a personal best deadlift of 325 pounds.
Dowell was in fourth place after squat and bench before the first place competitor bombed out on deadlift.
“Coach Lane told me I needed to get 325 on deadlift to advance to state,” Dowell said. “I was worried because I was nowhere near 320 at our meet.”
Obviously, Dowell’s hard work paid off as she easily lifted 325 pounds.
“It was easy for me,” Dowell said. “I could have gotten 330.”
Dowell will lift on March 14 in Corpus Christi and hopes to return as a state championship lifter to Malakoff.
“Keep working hard, pray and stay humble,” Dowell said.
That is Dowell’s mindset to win state.
(Nelson Ochoa is a Malakoff High School student.)