Four Hardin County athletes qualified for the Amateur World Powerlifting Congress (AWPC) World Powerlifting Championship, set for Aug. 24-26 in Limerick, Ireland. Three are students at Silsbee High School and the other at Lamar University. All four advanced to the world meet after placing first in their respective divisions at the Amateur American Powerlifting Federation (AAPF) Nationals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in June.
Olivia McWherter, a Lamar University student, was first in the Junior Division at nationals with an 890-pound total. Her total included a 340 in squat, 205 in bench and 345 in deadlift.
In the Teen Division, all three Silsbee students placed first in their respective weight classifications. Auryana Gilder finished with a 770-pound total; Allison Gremmell had a 670-pound total; and Kenli Sonnier recorded an 880-pound total.
The AWPC World Championships represents over 46 countries. The four girls will represent 24 of the participants on Team USA. The cost of the trip is about $25,000 for the students to go with a guardian. Several fundraisers have been established to raise money for the trip including an event Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Frank Rudisale Pavilion in Downtown Silsbee.
The event will include vendors, food trucks, live music, games and raffles. All proceeds from the event will go for airfare and lodging in Ireland.