Twelve Troy High School female student-athletes are gearing up for the regional powerlifting meet this Saturday in Dublin, TX. Two of them carrying not only the weight of their personal achievements but also the legacy of a rapidly growing program. Senior Jaeyln Jade "Jae Jae" Phillips and junior Bailey Maedgen have qualified, marking their third consecutive trip to regionals. “I am so proud of how hard these girls have worked and the growth they have shown over the past couple of years.” Shared powerlifting coach Benny Carr. “Not only do they have to have determination in the weight room, but they have to take care of business in the classroom as well. These young ladies never fail to do either.”.

The journey to regionals hasn’t been easy. For Jae Jae, overcoming physical adversity was a defining moment in her athletic career. "I had hip surgery my freshman year due to a leg length discrepancy and torn labrum. Powerlifting started as a way to recover, but I fell in love with it and found a family through it. It’s very heartwarming to qualify for regionals again.” She shared, “it's not popular to be a strong girl or lift more than the guys, because you get bullied. I think it was more or less like finding who I was and being like, I don't care what they say. If I lift more than you, maybe you should get to the weight room more.”

For Bailey, powerlifting was about finding inner strength. "My freshman year, I lacked confidence. I had few friends and kept to myself," she admitted. "Powerlifting gave me a support system, people who push me to be better, and it’s helped me build confidence—not just in lifting, but in life." Both athletes emphasize that mental strength is just as important as physical strength in this sport. "You can be strong all day, but if you're not strong-willed, you won’t do well," Bailey explained. "You have to push through, even when your body wants to quit.” Bailey shared about the program's evolution. "When we first started, we had no budget, no real support. We had to buy our own gear and find ways to fund our training," she explained. "Now, we have funding, and our program has grown and we fill up the weightroom." Their hard work and commitment have not only helped their own athletic performances but have also drawn attention to the powerlifting program, for future powerlifters to have access to better resources and opportunities such as funding support.

With regionals around the corner, both athletes have clear goals in mind. "I want to lift more than I ever have," Jae Jae stated. "Coach Carr and I have a strategy: start 15 pounds under my personal record, match it, and then go for a big jump." Bailey, aiming for a top finish, is also focused on breaking regional records. "Our strategy is to be smart but push our limits. We’re looking to take home top honors and set ourselves up for a strong showing at state." Both athletes have competed at the state level before—Jae Jae placing third as a sophomore and second as a junior, while Bailey finished sixth and fifth in previous years. Their eyes are set on gold this time around.

Beyond the competitions and records, powerlifting has given these athletes valuable life lessons. "It teaches you work ethic, discipline, and perseverance," Jae Jae shared. "If you cut reps in training, you’ll cut corners in life. Powerlifting instills accountability." Bailey agrees, adding that the sport has provided her with a support system and a sense of family. "The people in this program are like family. They’ve seen me at my best and worst, and they’re always there."

As these two athletes prepare for regionals, they hope to inspire younger students to step into the weight room. Their advice? "Just do it. It’s tough at first, but if you stick with it, you’ll find strength you never knew you had." With their dedication and skill, Jae Jae Phillips and Bailey Maedgen are proving that Troy’s powerlifting program is a force to be reckoned with. The road to state is paved with determination, and these two athletes are ready to lift their way to the top. 

Congratulations to all of our female athletes who are competing at regionals:

Freshmen: 

Riley Griffin

Kenzie Taylor

Addison Henderson

Sophmores:

Ariel Dear

Naomi Quiñones

Hayden Stevens

Junior: 

Bailey Maedgen

Peyton Powers

Hannah Halford

Kayla Lucky

Seniors:

Jae Jae Phillips

Justine Carpenter