History is built with effort and determination. For the girls powerlifting team, it was built lift by lift.
Competing at a body weight of 119 pounds, Jaslynn Flores (‘26) posted a 1,050 pound total, setting a new state record during the Texas High School Womens Powerlifting Association meet in Edinburg on Saturday, March 17.
Her total included a 415 pound squat, 270 pound bench press, and 365 pound deadlift. While helping to lead PNG to the team state championship, she earned her Best Squat, Best Bench, and Top Overall Lifter honors in 5A Division II.
With her career at PNG behind her, Jaslynn recently sat with us to discuss her effort outlook on the future.
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Q: What was going through your mind during your lifts at state?
A: I think for the past few years, I’ve been a lot less confident in myself. This year I kinda just let loose and I just let everything go how it was going to go. I was just thinking about having fun and being there for my teammates rather than just being there for myself.
Q: How much did it mean to you to break a state record?
A: It meant a lot. I have been working really hard for the past four years and I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. My main goal was to break state records and that is what I finally accomplished. It was pretty cool.
Q: How long had you been preparing for those meets?
A: I’ve been preparing for four years. I start actual seasonal lifting around October and November and then we lift in March.
Q: What got you into power lifting?
A: It was middle school athletics. We were all in the weight room and we were all benching. I think I benched like 85 pounds and no one else could bench that much. I thought it was really cool, so I then did powerlifting.
Q: What is your favorite memory from training with your team?
A: Oh gosh, there are so many. Probably this year, my sister was on the team as well, she is a freshman. I think just lifting with her in general and being able to see her do it.
Q: What do you plan on doing after high school?
A: In the fall, I’m going to Stanford University for Pre-Med, and I hope to go onto medical school after that.
Q: What advice do you have for people who are unsure about continuing powerlifting, or are unsure if they want to join powerlifting?
A: Just keep going, and keep pushing through. It gets really hard sometimes when you lose your confidence. But once you really gain it back and realize how good of a sport it is and how much it does throughout your life, it is really worth it in the end.
