Growing Centralia High School powerlifting team kicks off season in impressive fashion

The Centralia High School powerlifting team kicked off the 2026 season on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Red & Black Open in Yelm, bringing 22 lifters to compete across their respective weight classes.

The season opener delivered strong performances, exciting competition and a high-energy atmosphere that set the tone for the year ahead, according to coaches of the team.

The Centralia High School team has grown now into a full roster of committed athletes “with clear goals and a growing belief in themselves,” according to a summary of tournament from the coaches. 

“Watching athletes step onto the platform — strong, nervous, brave and determined — served as a powerful reminder of the impact this program continues to have on student growth and our athletic programs,” coaches stated in an email.

Centralia’s women lifters delivered strong performances across multiple weight classes. In the 105-pound class, Danny Etter tied for fifth place but finished seventh after a bodyweight tiebreaker.

Sydney Styger led the women’s team with a first-place finish in the 123-pound class and capped off her day with an impressive 200-pound deadlift.

Maddog Rothdeutsch earned a fifth-place finish in the 148-pound class.

Newcomer Madison Hardy, competing in the 198-pound class and new to both the team and the sport, placed fifth in her first powerlifting meet.

Fellow first-year lifter Enaaloha Vargas also made her debut, securing a seventh-place finish in her first competition and closing the meet with a strong 240-pound deadlift.

The men’s team also posted impressive results.

In the 123-pound class, Elio Paul placed third, followed closely by Lane Markstrom in fourth.

Grady Langen finished fifth in the 132-pound class, while Sergio Sanchez earned sixth place in the 165-pound class.

Centralia saw two men's first-place finishes, with Julian Crenshaw winning the 220-pound class and Jake Johnson taking first in the 242-pound class. The men’s overall team performance resulted in a third-place finish at the meet.

“Opening the season in Yelm was a lot of fun,” Centralia coaches wrote. “From the athletes to the coaches to the overall atmosphere, there is nothing quite like a powerlifting meet. This competition marks just the beginning of what promises to be an incredible 2026 season.”

Centralia High School will host its first home meet on Feb. 28 at the Northwest Sports Hub.

“Going into the program’s second season, the team has seen tremendous growth,” the coaches wrote. “Athletes will rotate through competitions throughout the season, with meet participation determined in part by dual-sport athlete availability. Our CHS coaches hold immense pride in the athletes’ strength, courage, resilience and willingness to challenge themselves, set goals and grow stronger.”

The 2026 coaching staff includes Rose Waterfield, Doug Ashmore, Ryan Stockdale and Sydney Gallagher, who joined the program this year.

“With a dedicated coaching team and a growing roster of motivated athletes, it is going to be an incredible season — and it’s only just beginning!” the coaches wrote.

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