Thursday, April 25, 2024
Gatesville High School senior Ryan Smiley has ended his powerlifting career with a bang, winning gold at the THSPA State Powerlifting Championships on Saturday, March 26 in Abilene.
Smiley topped 18 competitors to earn the division title in the 275-pound weight class. He squatted 815 pounds, benched 455 pounds, and deadlifted 610 pounds. This totaled 1,880 pounds on the day.
In each category, Smiley reached a personal best. Smiley also bested his performance from last year’s state meet, when he placed third, lifting 175 pounds more this year than last. Last year, he totaled 1,705 at the state meet.
“Well, it was really awesome to see his success,” GHS powerlifting coach Jason Moffett stated in an email. “It took a whole lot of work and dedication from him to make it happen.”
Smiley told Moffett a year ago that he was going to win the whole thing his senior year, and he kept his word. Moffett and Smiley both concluded that if he could squat more than 800 pounds and deadlift at least 600 pounds that they “felt no one could beat us.” Moffett said that Smiley won by a landslide, and no one was close to him. The second-place finisher was 105 pounds behind Smiley, totaling 1,775 pounds.
Also for GHS at the state meet, Caden Brister made his first state appearance and place 11th among the boys in the 123-pound weight class. He squatted 315 pounds, benched 185 pounds, and deadlifted 305 pounds, totaling 805 pounds. On the bench press, Brister hit a personal best.
“This was Caden’s first state meet,” Moffett said. “He was a little bit nervous early on, but he handled it really well for a first-timer.”
Moffett is thankful that he had the opportunity to coach Smiley, Brister, and the rest of the team this year.
