According to Wylie Powerlifting Coach Cort Arthur, the “state” of Wylie Powerlifting is excellent as it ended its 2025-26 season with two Texas High School Powerlifting Association State Champions.
On March 21, Wylie sophomore Arielys Perez-Rivera became the first Girls Powerlifting State Champion in Wylie history after she dominated the girls 105 weight class, lifting twice her weight in the bench press alone. Rivera’s tiny frame weighs in at 100 lbs., but she benches 205-210 lbs. While she doesn’t consider the bench press to be her best lift, it is the one that places her well-above her competitors.
“It’s where I get ahead,” said Perez-Rivera. “The average lift is 135 lbs. for my weight class.”
Powerlifters are scored in three events – bench press, squat, and dead lift – with the best score combined to get their final score. Perez-Rivera started powerlifting in late January of 2025 after Powerlifting Coach Cort Authur invited her to join the team after seeing her ability while training for track. During her first state meet last year, she placed fourth, which Perez-Rivera said ignited her drive to win state this year.
“Getting fourth place last year drove me to follow a strict workout routine and diet,” said Perez-Rivera. “God used it to really push me, and my hard work paid off. My strength comes from the Lord, not my size. He carries me through each lift and reminds me that nothing is impossible with Him.”
On March 28, Wylie junior Carson Martin placed first in the boys 242 lb. weight class, clenching his first state champion title and lifted a combined 2,000 lbs.
Martin joined the powerlifting team during his freshman year after finding himself in the gym throughout junior high due to several knee injuries. He said the coaches noticed he was lifting more than the average weight for that age, which made him take a deeper interest in the sport. After the injuries from baseball and football, Martin decided to focus on powerlifting exclusively with the intent to do his best.
“My freshman and sophomore year, I would have had a chance, but I injured my knee again, said Martin. “After my recovery, I decided to go all out, and the Lord gave me that opportunity.”
Upon receiving his state title this March, Martin said it was a mix of emotions and an opportunity to share his faith.
“It was cool and humbling,” said Martin. “It was also a sense of relief since I had been working for this the last three years. It is also a God thing. He has put me here, and it’s a good testimony.”
Coach Arthur said Perez-Rivera and Martin also set the state bench records at their meets lifting 205 and 570 lbs., respectively. He says while powerlifting is a lot of showing up in the gym, working hard, and letting biology take its natural course – something his two state champs both do well – they also each have qualities that independently make them champions.
“I think the biggest thing for Ary is the space between her ears,” laughed Arthur. “She is so good at receiving instruction and then able to put it onto the bar. You rarely have to tell her more than once how to make an adjustment, and she can just fix it like it’s not a problem. She also handles the pain of lifting well, which goes to show how strong she is mentally.” As for Martin, Arthur said he lifts with no fear.
“He is courageous – completely unafraid,” said Arthur. “There are times where he is lifting something absolutely ridiculous, say an 800 lb. squat or a 600 lb. bench press, and we’re in a dinky old gym with rusted bars and a squat rack that couldn’t hold a 400 lb. bar safely, and he is up for just loading it up. He is willing to just go for it all the time.”
With both athletes having a little time on their side before graduating from high school, they share the same hope of being the best…period. “My goal is to win state and get plaques,” said Perez-Rivera, and for Martin, who earned the Best Squat and Best Lifter plaques this last go-round, he wants to make history.
“Win state again, but really, be the best there ever was.”