More powerlifting talent from the area kept emerging at the Kenai Powerlifting Challenge, which was held April 11 at Kenai Central High School.

Rob Schmidt, Alaska State Chair for USA Powerlifting, wrote in an email that Soldotna sophomore Robin Johnson had a great tuneup before the International Powerlifting Federation RAW Classics Powerlifting World Championships in early June in Finland.

“Robin Johnson wrecked shop,” Schmidt wrote in an email.

Johnson hit 330 pounds in the squat, 187 in the bench press and 347 in the deadlift.

According to Schmidt, the 347 deadlift looked easy. Johnson put 369 on the bar for her last attempt, but it flew up so fast she lost her balance at the top and dropped the weight.

“But 400+ is in her near future,” Schmidt wrote.

Schmidt wrote that other highlights of the meet were Kenai Central student Natalie Chavez tying the American record for her age and weight class with her third deadlift, and Kenai Central student Kelsey Booth coming up 1 kilo short of the American record for her age and weight with her third squat.

Schmidt wrote that both girls set open, or all-age, class state records. He also noted that KCHS students Alyssa Herr, Darcy Blume and Dawson Baker all had solid performances.

A final highlight came from Tabatha Chanley, who broke existing state records for squat, deadlift and total in her age and weight class.

The next big powerlifting meet in the state is the 31st Alaska State Championship on May 2 at South Anchorage High School. Schmidt said there will be sufficient national and international refs for Booth to attempt an American record in the squat.

Schmidt said that KCHS definitely has the potential to make a statement way bigger than its size at the national meet this year if all the powerlifters are able to compete.

In the final results, Johnson was first in the open and in high school, while Booth was second in high school and second in open and Alyssa Herr was third in high school. Renee Rybak was the best master lifter and third in the open.

Among men, Danny Autrey was first in the open, Riley Edwards was second in the open and Andrew Welborn was third in the open. Welborn also was first in high school, while Carlos Caballero was second in high school and Bryce Martin and Daniel Evans were third in high school.

Lifters are compared with a coefficient that can be used to compare lifters of different weights.