Marietta senior Haley Wilkerson is the state champion in her weight class, as well as
setting a new state record. Wilkerson competed in the state championship for girls’
powerlifting, which was held on Monday at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant.
Wilkerson, competing in the 198 pound class, was in first place after squatting 340
pounds in the first round. As the competition moved to the bench, Wilkerson lifted 140
pounds, not enough to win the bench, but because of her squat, enough to stay in first
place.
It was when Wilkerson moved to the deadlift that she really put it on the top shelf,
setting a new state record in her weight class with 380 pounds, and cementing her
position as the state champion. Wilkerson’s total weight lifted was 860 pounds.
“She is a beast,” said second-year Coach Katelynn McCarn-Lewis. “I know it sounds
funny to call a girl that, but she is just an awesome athlete, and I am so proud of her.”
Wilkerson, who was a member of the 2023 state powerlifting team during her freshman
year, has stuck with the sport and placed at every meet the team attended during this
season.
“Haley has a tough schedule. She goes to votech in the morning, which includes a
clinicals schedule, then comes back to Marietta for afternoon classes,” explained
McCarn-Lewis. “And still, every day – good or bad – she shows up and she lifts. She
makes it all work and she works hard doing it. She’s that dedicated and she puts the
work in, and that’s what it takes to be a champion.”