Dublin High School is sending four Lady Lions to state powerlifting competition in Edinburg Thursday, March 19, including two who went last year.
Seniors Cassidy Adair and Candy Rodriguez are returning to state competition after placing 1st in the 198 and 2nd in the 181 at regionals respectively. They are being joined by sophomore Bayli Jackson (2nd in the 242+) and freshman Jessa Bamber (1st in the 97).
This actually makes the fourth year that Adair has qualified for state and she is eyeing continuing the sport after graduation.
“I never thought powerlifting in college was an option and it’s opened so many doors for me,” Adair said. The senior admits to getting discouraged with the sport along the way but it was the inspiration of Jessa’s dad, Levi, and getting to offer mentorship for underclassmen that inspired her again and solidified her love of the sport.
Adair and Bamber are among a group who routinely “Take every meet seriously but have fun at the same time,” she said. Adair said she’s been accused of not seeming to take the meets seriously but she said they take practices seriously so they’ve already put the work in.
Adair said Levi Bamber has been emotional about this being her last year of high school lifting. She looking for a gold medal this year, having placed third at state last year.
DHS powerlifting coach John Ward stated his pride in the lifters’ accomplishments so far and thanked coaches Thornton and Vaugn for their help in the season as well as Levi, Roger Adair and the Dublin Athletic Booster Club for the support and DHS Athletic Director Greg Hardcastle for his hard work as the Region II director.
Ward thanked the school board, administration, staff and community for all the help in hosting the regional powerlifting meets as well as the Dublin Invitational.
He also stated his pride in the senior mentorship under Cassidy, Candy and Nomi Thompson.