Centralia High School powerlifter sets new state record

Centralia High School senior and powerlifting team captain Julian Crenshaw made history at the 2025 USA Powerlifting Washington State Championship in Spokane this past weekend.

Crenshaw shattered the state record with an incredible 645-pound deadlift, alongside a 502-pound squat and 297-pound bench press to set the new deadlift record.

Overall, he moved 1,444 pounds.

The Centralia powerlifting team will host its first ever home meet at the Northwest Sports Hub in Centralia on Feb. 28.

The 2025-26 meet schedule is as follows:

• Jan. 10 at Yelm High School

• Jan. 31 at Olympia High School

• Feb. 14 at Timberline High School

• Feb. 28 at Centralia’s Northwest Sports Hub

• March 21 at North Beach High School

• April 4 at Shelton High School

• May 2 at Olympia High School

Last season was one for the record books for the Tigers powerlifting team. Of the 25 athletes on the 2024-25 team, 13 qualified for the state championships, with eight athletes placing in the top six of their respective weight classes and three earning state champion titles, including Olivia Friedley, Michelle Fadness and Josemanuel Alatorre. Crenshaw earned second place at state last year.

Alatorre set a new men’s 114-pound class deadlift record last year with a 385-pound deadlift, and Friedley earned the No. 2 pound-for-pound women’s squat in the state, squatting 220 pounds in the 114-pound weight class.

Building on that momentum, CHS saw record interest this year with 108 athletes turning out for powerlifting. Due to limited space in the school’s outdated weight room, 58 students were officially rostered for the 2025-26 season.

To support the growing program, the CHS team will be hosting a “Deadlift for Donuts” fundraising event on Nov. 15 at noon at 902 Johnson Road in Centralia. Competitors will attempt their heaviest deadlift, split by age group, and enjoy a donut or two. All proceeds go directly toward CHS powerlifting team gear, travel, entry fees, food and support for lifters. To register for the event, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n69jkvx.