Jena High School has another state champion powerlifter.

Hanna Stapleton is the 2024 Louisiana High School Powerlifting Association and Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s state champion in her division after competing March 22 at the state powerlifting championships at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette.

Hanna entered the state competition in first place and maintained her ranking after the final lifts were conducted.

Also at the state championships, Deondria Jones finished as a state runner-up champion in her division.

Jones entered the state competition after taking second place in regionals.

Other JHS athletes that placed at the state championships were Chichi Achilefu, 4th Place, Arin Ashley, 6th Place, Ada Kimbrough, 9th Place, Kanely Cooper, 9th Place and Gracie Joy, 10th Place.

In the boys’ powerlifting championships, Zachary Scales placed 4th, Samuel Knight placed fifth, Landon Cockerham placed 6th and Blake Krahn placed 10th.

Others competing at state were Waylon Breithaupt and Aiden Palmer.

Congratulations to State Champion Hanna Stapleton and the entire JHS Powerlifting teams.