La Porte High School junior Samantha Gilder will go into the record books as the school’s first ever medalist at the Texas High School Women's Powerlifting Association State Championships.

Gilder accomplished the feat on March 21 in Edinburg. She finished 15th at the same meet in 2025.

It was the third straight year, and only the fourth time in school history, that La Porte High School was represented at State.

“I’m incredibly proud of Samantha,” Head Girls Powerlifting Coach Beck Neal said. “She’s put in relentless effort to reach this level, and on top of that, she’s made program history by earning a medal at the state meet.”

The team itself also set a school record by finishing 25th in Texas on the heels of several strong individual finishes.

5th - Samantha Gilder
11th - Nadia Elabdallah
12th – Isabel Burke
19th – Ariana Castaneda

“Our girls’ powerlifting team continues to build momentum, with more lifters stepping up, setting new marks, and exceeding expectations,” Neal said. “We’re establishing ourselves among the top programs in the state, and there’s even more success ahead.”