Riley Pecheos Makes a Statement at USA Powerlifting High School Nationals

The clang of plates, the adrenaline-fueled roar of the crowd, and the unshakable resolve of a first-time national competitor—Bonney Lake’s own Riley Pecheos took it all in stride as she stepped onto the platform at USA Powerlifting’s High School Nationals in Wisconsin on March 20th-23rd. Competing in the ultra-competitive 60-kilogram (132-pound) weight class, Pecheos didn’t just participate-she made her presence known, claiming sixth place in a bracket stacked with 39 of the strongest high school lifters in the country.

In her first-ever USA Powerlifting meet, Pecheos proved she belonged among the best. Powerlifting tests an athlete’s strength across three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. With laser focus and a relentless drive, Pecheos put up numbers that left an impression: a 281-pound squat, a 121-pound bench press, and a 308-pound deadlift—staggering numbers for a first-time competitor on a national stage.

Now, with Nationals behind her, Pecheos shifts her focus to the Washington State Championship in May. The event, set to take place at Olympia High School, presents another opportunity for Pecheos to test her strength, refine her technique, and compete against the best lifters in the state.

With Nationals experience under her belt and a fire to keep improving, Pecheos is primed to make waves in the Washington powerlifting scene. If her performance in Wisconsin was any indication, the best is yet to come.