Competing in the Class 4A State Powerlifting meet Saturday at Wellington High School, the Pirates Women's team hoisted the State Championship trophy for the third time in as many years.  The women’s team scored 81 points besting an exceptional Wellington team by 18 points for the second year in row.  The Men's team are the 2023 State Runner-Up after winning the State Championship in 2022.  The men’s team have established their place on the podium at the last four championships earning championships in 2020 and 2022 and earning runner up in 2021 and 2023. 

Piper had 8 girls earn medals by finishing in the top 3 of their respective weight classes.  The men’s team had 6 boys earn medals for overall finish.  

The Pirates had five state champions between the two teams.

Sophomore Keith Slaughter won the men’s 140-pound state title by bench pressing 220 pounds, cleaning 235 pounds, and setting a new state squat record in the class with a 395 pound lift, breaking the old record by 40 pounds.  The competition in this class was incredible.  Two other lifters in the class also had lifts in the squat that surpassed the previous state record.  The sophomore's incredible day lifting 850 total pounds put his name in the state record books for a second time beating the previous record by 25 pounds.  Keith Slaughter is now a two time state champion representing Piper High School.  

Sophomore Malia Martin followed up her state championship freshman campaign winning gold again in 2023.  Malia swept the class taking first in bench (185), squat (280), clean(195), and total weight lifted (660).  With her final attempt in the clean, Malia tied the state record with a 195 pound lift.  The sophomore absolutely dominated the class beating the second place finisher by 110 total pounds.  Malia now owns 8 gold medals in her young career.  

In the men’s 123lb class, senior JayVon Simmons won three gold medals including a state championship medal for winning the class.  The senior took gold in the bench press (185), squat (280), and total weight lifted (595).  The senior lifter has had an impressive two weeks also representing the Piper Wrestling team at the state tournament last weekend.  

In the women’s power weight class, senior TyJanae Hooks bested her 2022 bronze medal finish with a state championship finish to cap off her career.  TyJanae won four medals with a bronze medal in squat (285), silver medal in bench (145), gold medal in clean (190), and a gold medal in total weight lifted (620).   

Senior Kylie Brockman finishes off a career that has made her the winningest female lifter in Piper High School history.  Kylie is a three time state champion missing out on a fourth championship in 2022 due to an injury that kept her from competing her junior year.  In her freshman campaign she swept the competition winning four gold medals in the 140 pound class, her sophomore campaign included three gold medals in bench, clean, and total weight lifted.  As a sophomore, she also won the Female Lightweight Lifter of the Meet, an award given to the athlete with the highest power ratio, meaning she was the strongest female athlete in Kansas 4A Powerlifting in 2021.  Her return in 2023 did not disappoint, she once again swept her class earning gold in bench (150), squat (260), clean (165) and total weight lifted (575).  Kylie has won 11 gold medals and  one silver medal in her impressive career.

You can see photos taken by Annabelle Kump by clicking HERE

Here are the top three finishers in each weight class from Piper High School.

The women’s team brought home 32 total medals.  Here is where the Pirates earned medals. 

The men’s team capped off the day with 26 total medals.  Here is where the Pirates earned medals.

2023 Piper Powerlifting State Teams