Burnet girls powerlifter qualifies for state meet
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
GATESVILLE — For two years, Burnet High School coaches asked junior Brittany Barksdale to be a powerlifter.
And, for two years, she declined.
But, just as the saying goes, the third time was the charm, and Barksdale finally said “yes.”
On March 2, she finished fourth in the 160-pound weight class at a regional powerlifting meet and qualified for the state meet. She lifted a total of 745 pounds thanks to a squat of 270 pounds, a bench press of 160 pounds and a dead lift of 315 pounds. She hit the automatic qualifying total.
The result just confirmed to coaches what they always thought about Barksdale: She should have been a powerlifter all along.
“When we run offseason and weight lift, you can tell which girls have (powerlifting) strength,” girls athletic coordinator Mike Cavender said.
“She came to me,” powerlifting coach Doug Wilson said. “I was excited about it.”
Wilson said the reason for her success comes down to one important thing.
“She’s dedicated to it,” he said. “She’s a good athlete, good student and a great young lady.”
The state meet is at the American Bank Center and Convention Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd. in Corpus Christi, on March 15-16.
jfierro@thepicayune.com