The Centralia High School Powerlifting Team wrapped up its second competitive season with a memorable state sendoff on May 2. State-qualifying athletes proudly paraded through the hallways of Centralia High School in their team gear before loading into vans and heading north to weigh in for the 2026 Washington State Powerlifting Championships held at Olympia High School.
Representing the girls team at state were freshmen Dani Etter and Skyla Collins; sophomore and returning state competitor Sydney Styger; and first-time state qualifiers Madison Hardy, Lily Ashmore, Enaaloha Vargas and senior MadDog Rothdeutsch.
The boys state qualifiers included freshmen Lane Markstrom and Elio Paul; juniors Jose Manuel Alatorre and Payton Warren; and seniors Tristen Henning, Julian Crenshaw and Jake Johnson.
Several Tigers earned spots on the podium at the state championships, highlighted by Julian Crenshaw capturing first place in the 220-pound weight class with an incredible total of 1,555 pounds. Sydney Styger earned a fifth place podium finish with 505 pounds, while MadDog Rothdeutsch claimed second place with an impressive 640-pound total.
Additional strong finishes came from Markstrom and Johnson, who both placed sixth, while Etter and Paul secured seventh place finishes in their respective divisions. Their accomplishments reflected the hard work, discipline and dedication demonstrated by the entire team throughout the season, according to their coaches.
The 2025-26 season saw tremendous growth for the program, which finished with just under 50 competitive powerlifters. However, the team’s accomplishments extended far beyond medals and podium finishes. Athletes were held to high standards both on and off the platform following athletic code expectations while demonstrating commitment to attendance, academics, personal growth and their teammates.
This season also marked the first year that varsity letters were awarded to qualifying athletes in recognition of their dedication and achievement.
Another major milestone was hosting the program’s first-ever powerlifting meet at the Northwest Sports Hub where the team was able to secure over 50 volunteers to run seven platforms. The event was a tremendous success, and plans are already underway to host another meet next season as the program continues to grow.
Looking ahead, the coaches are excited about plans to equip athletes with team singlets for the 2026-27 season. Fundraising efforts are already being discussed, including the return of the popular “Donuts for Deadlifts” fundraiser along with new fundraising opportunity, “Bench for Burritos,” and partnering with local food trucks to celebrate athletes after competition days.
One of the season’s proudest accomplishments and greatest sources of excitement came from Markstrom, Paul, Styger, Etter and Collins qualifying for nationals based on their performances at the state championship performances. These Centralia lifters earned invitations to compete at nationals in New York next March, highlighting the continued growth and success of the program.
While the boys team will graduate several experienced senior lifters, and the girls team will also see key competitors move on, coaches are confident in the future of the program. Recruiting and developing the next generation of Tiger lifters is already underway as the team works to remain competitive and continue building on its success. Lifters will have access to the weight room throughout the summer to work with coaches on their strength and technique, while also learning about the importance of proper nutrition to build podium level strength.
The season concluded with the program’s first annual awards banquet, where athletes and their families gathered to celebrate accomplishments, friendships and memorable moments from the year. Coaches created fun personalized awards for each lifter, recognizing not only athletic achievements but also the unique personalities that make the team special. Awards such as “Most Likely to Arrive Unknown and Leave Unforgettable,” “Resilient Lifter,” and the “Sure, I Guess I’ll Try It” award brought laughter, smiles and plenty of memories for athletes and families alike.
As the second season comes to a close, Coaches Stockdale, Ashmore and Waterfield remain incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support these student-athletes. Their mission extends beyond building stronger lifters; it is about helping young people develop confidence, discipline, resilience and character that will serve them well long after they leave the platform.
With a growing roster, state podium finishers, national qualifiers and a strong team culture, the future of Centralia High School Powerlifting has never looked brighter.
•••
This article was submitted by the Centralia Powerlifting Team. To submit community news items and photos to The Chronicle for potential publication, email news@chronline.com.
