Let it be known to all of Florida: Marathon High School is home to a state champion.
MHS senior Rylan Chapa won the coveted title at the Florida state championships for girls weightlifting, held from Feb. 10-12 in Port St. Joe, FL. Supported by funds from the Katharine S. Gradick Girls Athletic Trust, Chapa and fellow lifter Allie Brabenec made the trip to the panhandle to go toe to toe with the best Florida has to offer.
By the end of the weekend, her 100-pound lift bested all contestants in the 101-pound weight class to claim the individual crown in the snatch competition. She also earned a second medal in the traditional event, claiming bronze in her weight class by pairing a 110-pound bench press with a 130-pound clean and jerk.
“It feels really weird,” said Chapa. “People had said I was ranked first going in, but I was like, ‘Oh, we’ll see what happens.’”
Chapa’s self-described “last hurrah” comes after three years of lifting. When she first moved to the Keys from Texas, she combined her lifts with soccer and softball practices. However, as her prowess in the weight room grew, she elected to focus on the sport more exclusively.
“I did soccer and weight lifting at the same time last year, and I went to the state competition and got sixth place,” Chapa said. “This year, I decided to just go for weightlifting.”
Rylan credits her achievements to the willingness of her coaches Jessie Schubert and Michele James to match her dedication and drive.
“I love Schubert,” said Chapa. “We’re pretty much here every day of the week, even on weekends. I’ll be like, ‘Hey, do you want to go work out? Because I want to go work out.’ We’ll come here, or we’ll go to the bridge and go running or something like that.”
Chapa’s parents Phillip and Jenna can attest to Rylan’s commitment and its ability to inspire others. “We’re happy, because it taught her dedication,” said Jenna. “And now, because of her, we’re in the gym six days a week.”
“It made us feel inadequate,” said Phillip.
“(Rylan) does everything you ask of her, and she does it with a smile,” said Schubert. “She’s fun to be around as a person and as an athlete. And anything I throw at her, she’s like, ‘Yes. Let’s do it.’”
Chapa entered the state meet as one of the favorites to take the title in her weight class. But by her coach’s estimation, she barely felt the pressure. “We’ve been to this meet with other girls, and there are a lot of nerves,” Schubert admitted. “But this one, she’s just bouncing around. This is her thing. There’s no nerves, there’s just excitement and happiness.”
Chapa handles whatever nerves she may have with a highly regimented, if slightly unconventional, game day routine: she wears her alien socks and flower shorts for every competition, pairs a Rice Krispie treat with coffee for breakfast, and eats a Kind bar between lifts.
And once it’s all over?
“I’m done with weigh-ins and everything, so I eat so much candy.”
Rylan plans to attend Georgia Tech in the fall, where she hopes to continue her lifting as a club sport. Pressed for words of wisdom as she addressed the student body at MHS’ victory party celebrating her achievements, Rylan used only two.
“Don’t suck.”
