Farmersville powerlifters, from left, Callie Edwards, Sophia Ferretiz and Janiyla Craft competed at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Class 4A Division II state meet last week. David Wolman / C&S Media
By David Wolman
After coming up short of qualifying for the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Class 4A Division II State Meet last year, Farmersville senior Janiyla Craft was determined to shake off that disappointment and finish her high school career with a spot on the medal stand.
Not only did Craft earn a spot on the medal stand, but she became the first female state champion in powerlifting in program history.
Craft lifted a total weight of 1,065 pounds at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg last Friday between the three events: bench press (220 pounds), squat (455) and deadlift (390). Her total weight was 35 pounds more than the 1,030 pounds that state runner-up Emily Gonzalez of Shepherd lifted.
“It means everything,” Craft said. “Hopefully it will open the doors for me for college and get my education. Outside of high school, I just lift.”
Craft was one of two Farmersville student-athletes to earn a spot in the medal stand. Medals were awarded to the top five finishers in each weight class.
Sophia Ferretiz placed third at 220 pounds with a total weight lifted of 1,050 pounds.
Giddings’ Jaiden Saucedo claimed the state title in dominating fashion, posting a total weight of 1,250 pounds. Only 20 pounds was the difference between second and fifth place. A deadlift of 390 pounds played a major factor into Ferretiz capturing third place.
“I was hoping to finish first, but it was a huge battle,” Ferretiz said. “At the beginning of the year, I squatted 280 pounds. I finished this season with a best of 395.”
This year marked only the second year that Ferretiz has competed in powerlifting. She was a state qualifier last year in her first year competing in the sport, earning fifth place at 220. As a senior, she won the regional title at 242 pounds and took bronze in her final career high school meet.
“I went into this sport as wanting to try something new because I was a softball player for so many years,” she said. “I didn’t realize how much I could actually lift. The coaches here really helped me a lot and helped me mentally and physically.”
Callie Edwards concluded her season and high school career by lifting 755 pounds at the state meet, good for 14th in the 148-pound weight class.
Edwards is a former gymnast who has found success during her four years in powerlifting.
“I was coming to a new school,” she said. “I went it and saw it and said, ‘Sign me up.’ I used to be a gymnast, so I thought that I could do this. I did gymnastics for 10 years. It was hard at first my freshman year, was crazy different. But it’s been good.”
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