The sport of powerlifting gives athletes a chance to push themselves in the weight room while also competing against others to see who can lift the most weight.

Obviously, everybody wants to win, but over the course of competing, there are also personal achievements.

Last week, nine powerlifters from Washington Parish were in the state meet that took place in Alexandria.

The parish may not have had a state champion this year, but there is plenty to be proud about.

Every local powerlifter who made it to state set at least one personal record and three of them, Franklinton’s Spencer Lambert and Zack Brumfield and Bogalusa’s Derek Keating, had personal bests in all three categories — squat, bench press and deadlift.

Also, Franklinton’s Dakota Gulsby received a Louisiana High School Powerlifting Association Scholarship for college, based on his academics and performance.

Congratulations to all of the powerlifters doing so well at state.