If squatting over twice her body weight isn’t impressive enough, sophomore Farrah Marreez also won the “Barbells for My Valentine” USPA power lifting competition held on Feb. 18 in Georgetown, KY.

The morning of the competition, she only had one other power lifting comp under her belt. 

“I always get really nervous, especially when I take pre-workout because caffeine makes you even more nervous,” Marreez said.

It’s safe to say that her nerves worked in her favor.

Marreez competes at the 60 kg weight class in squat, deadlift, and bench, holding state records for her age group in all three events.

“I can do 265 lbs on squat, 282 lbs on deadlift, and 145 lbs on bench,” Marreez said.

She got into lifting at just 13 years old when the pandemic hit and only started competing about six months ago. Outside of powerlifting, Marreez also plays lacrosse for Central Hardin. 

Her dedication to balance practices and lift sessions has led Marreez to achieve a multitude of goals.

“My goal was to make it to Nationals,” Marreez said. “But now hopefully to win Nationals, win the $10,000 prize, and go to Worlds.”

You can support Marreez in her endeavor to Nationals on July 23 when she competes in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For those who are wanting to try weight lifting, Marreez advises to “just get into it, don’t sit around and wait for the right time. Get in the gym and pick some stuff up.”