The 2025 La Porte High School’s Girls Powerlifting Team has added to the program’s record book with the highest team finish ever. Two individuals, meanwhile, have become only the third and fourth state qualifiers in school history. 

In earning the runner-up spot at the Feb. 15 Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Region 4 Championships at Alvin High School, eight powerlifters earned medals. Among those were freshman Hannah Stafford and sophomore Samantha Gilder, who qualified to compete at the state meet in March. 

Gilder additionally became the second consecutive La Porte High School powerlifter to bring home a regional title. Ruquayya Soudine took home the honor in 2024. 

“Watching this team grow and push each other to new limits has been incredibly rewarding,” said Powerlifting Coach Beck Neal. “Seeing two of our athletes qualify for State is a true testament to their hard work, determination and the strength of this entire team.” 

Additional Individual Results 
Isabel Burke – 3rd  
Ruquayya Soudine – 3rd  
Nadia Elabdallah – 5th  
Ariana Castaneda – 3rd  
Alyssa Ellis – 3rd  
Persilla Walker – 3rd  
Jacey Theus – 3rd  
Ava Perez – 4th 

Additional team members are Annaliese Barrientes and Sage Solis. The THSWPA State Championships are scheduled for March 12-15 at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg.