A Central Texas powerlifter who didn't compete in the regional meet last year because of a coach's mistake, won second place in her weight class at the Texas High School Women's Powerlifting State Championship this year.
Last year, the season ended early for Copperas Cove High School student Alyssa Arnold after a coach from another school didn't submit the scores to the Texas High School Women's Powerlifting Association by the deadline
"I was sad I didn't get to go last year. I was a 9th Grader. I wanted to get to do this all four years," Arnold said.
Copperas Cove Girls Head Powerlifting Coach Brittany Smart said the issue motivated Arnold even more this season.
"She had to overcome that situation last year so to not give up all and not wanting to quit all together and stick with it and to keep training and to make it here, it’s a big deal," Smart said.
The 15-year-old is thrilled she competed next to the best powerlifters in the state this year.
"As a sophomore making it to state is really good. Powerlifting is what I love to do," Arnold said.
While squatting, she lifted her personal best, which was 560 pounds. Smart said that number is close to the best record.
“The state record is at 600 and she is only a sophomore. I anticipate her getting that record next year," Smart said.
Smart also hopes next year Arnold will be able to win first place. This year, she tied with the winner but the other competitor ultimately won because she weighed less.
Arnold's father, Joseph, is thrilled to see her daughter's accomplishments
“I think this is really her calling. She’s a natural," Joseph Arnold Jr. said. “I’ve seen my daughter do things, broken barriers that nobody have ever been able to do before and that just really touched me."
The powerlifter hoped to win but she said her goal was to make her family proud.
"I told her you don't have to win. You have already proven everything you needed to prove to me. You go out there and do the best you can. Second is good at first," Joseph Arnold Jr. said.
Arnold hopes to come back to the state championship in 2019 and win a gold medal.
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