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Franklinton’s Shelton Jenkins and Pine’s Braeden Arceneaux captured powerlifting state championships that were held last week at Fant Coliseum on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Both lifters set several personal records along the way.

Jenkins, who is a senior, competes in the Division II 198-pound weight class.

Jenkins squatted 515, benched 435 and deadlifted 550 for a total of 1,500. Jenkins set personal records in the bench and his total.

This was Jenkins’ third state title. He won last year and in 2019. He made it to state all four years. He was unable to compete in 2020 because of the pandemic.

“I had a winning mindset going in. I knew I was already up by 205 (going into the meet based on regionals), so I was like, ‘OK, let me just maintain that or add to the total,’” Jenkins said. “I think I won by (205).”

Jenkins was the top seed going in and lifted 205 more pounds in regionals than the second seed.

Jenkins was also the top lifter in the heavy platform.

“I’ve been working really hard,” Jenkins said. “I’ve been really close in the past, so winning that was kind of a big deal for me.”

Jenkins said that his key to success was keeping a good mindset and focusing on one thing at a time.

“Train really hard everyday and it’ll all come together and you’ll succeed,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins got started in powerlifting because of his older brother Drake Jenkins.

“My older brother did it, so I was thinking I may as well try a new sport out and I just fell in love with it,” Shelton Jenkins said.

Pine’s lifters competed on March 24.

Arceneaux, who is a sophomore, won his second state title with the other coming last year. This is Arceneaux’s third time reaching state. He also made it last season and in 2020.

Arceneaux competes in the Division IV 123-pound weight class.

Arceneaux squatted 335, benched 170 and deadlifted 380 for an 885 total. Arceneaux set PRs in the deadlift, bench and total.

He won his weight class by 50 pounds.

“It feels good being a two-time champ and knowing how hard I worked to win it again,” Arceneaux said.

Arceneaux talked about the keys for his success.

“Getting PRs, lifting heavy weights and my dad (Jason Arceneaux) for pumping me up,” Braeden Arceneaux said.

Arceneaux shared advice his dad gave him.

“Dad told me “don’t think it’s going to be easy, think it’s going to be hard and then at the meet, you can think it was easy at the end.’ When I did that 380, I knew I had won,” Arceneaux said.

Franklinton’s Adam Galloway was seventh in the SHW division with a 1,340 total. Salmen’s Dwayne Coleman won with a 1,575.

Also competing for Franklinton were Jaylin Magee (181) and Khaled Waliagha (220).

Franklinton tied Breaux Bridge and Vandebilt Catholic for 12th with seven points.

Bolton won the title with 44 points, as 20 teams put up points.

St. Michael’s the Archangel was second at 30, followed by South Terrebonne’s 23, Liberty Magnet’s 22 and Salmen’s 19 to round out the top five.

Pine’s A.J. Caillouet came in fifth place in the 114s with a 195 squat, 100 bench and 240 deadlift for a 535 total. Many’s DeMario Woods won with a 740.

Kole Miller was sixth in the 148s with a 915 after squatting 305, benching 205 and deadlifting 405. Many’s Sardavion Darwin won at 1,120.

Pine came in 11th place with 10 points.

Many won the title with 48 points with 22 teams posting points.

Pope John Paul II was second with 31, followed by Winnfield’s 20, Holy Savior Menard’s 19 and Delhi Charter’s 17 points to round out the top five.

Several Bogalusa residents competed for Pope John Paul II. They lifted on Thursday.

Cael McDaniel and Will Culpepper came in second place in their weight classes.

McDaniel was second in the 220s with a 1,420. He squatted 545, benched 335 and deadlifted 540. Holy Savior Menard’s Cameron Kinder won with a 1,550.

Culpepper was second in the SHW with a 1,280 after squatting 550, benching 275 and deadlifting 455. Holy Savior Menard’s Jack Melton won with a 1,370.

Wilson Varnado was fifth in the 148s with a 1,000 after a 385 squat, 210 bench and 405 deadlift.

Matthew Kirkland (SHW) competed and and Bryan Mauricio was scratched because of an injury.