by Malcolm Butler
Carter Lewis had himself a day.
The Cedar Creek senior broke record after record Saturday during the 2026 Boys North Regional Powerlifting Championships held at West Monroe High School.
School. Regional. State.
It didn’t matter. One record after another fell to the side as Lewis ultimately captured first place in the 198-pound classification.
In addition to Lewis’s performance, Cougar teammates Asa Singleton, Wyatt Gremillion and Blake Robinson also finished on the podium in their respective weight classes.
“Our boys had a great day at Regionals,” said head coach Jacob Angevine. “Our guys are on pace of where we want them to be and peaking at the right time. I’m really excited for this group.”
Carter’s three-lift composite total of 1900 pounds is the second highest total in the history of the Louisiana High School Powerlifting Association regardless of weight class or classification, trailing only Salmen’s Dwayne Coleman’s total of 2000 in the super heavyweight division set in 2024.
“This is something that I have worked incredibly hard for,” said Lewis. “Ever since I broke my arm last year I have found a new passion and drive within the sport. After going to world championships, Lawson Lillo and I learned a lot of valuable information that has really help my progress.
“None of this would have been possible had it not been for the amazing coaches I have around me and my ultimate lifting partner and coach and friend Lawson Lillo.”
Lewis opened the meet by breaking the state composite squat record (previously set by Archbishop Rummel’s William Reed in 2018) with a mark of 660 pounds. This also broke the school mark set by Lewis earlier this year that was held by Dakota Clawson since 2006.
He followed that performance by breaking the state composite bench press mark with a lift of 455 pounds, set by St. Paul’s Jack Caminta in 2017. However, this record would not last long as Central’s Dakota Buhler surpassed it later in the meet with a mark of 500 pounds.
Lewis then set a new North Regional mark in the deadlift with a mark of 735 pounds on his third lift, breaking the old mark set by Kenneth Ratliff (Natchitoches Central) in 2001. It also broke the school mark, previously held by his older brother, Quincy, and the state composite mark set by Dutchtown’s Hayden Willis in 2019. It’s the largest deadlift in the history of the LHSPLA regardless of weight or classification.
Carter was named the Outstanding Lifter of the meet.
Cedar Creek totals from the North Regional Championships:
Asa Singleton (132-pound class) 935 total, 2nd place
Jack Robbins (148-pound class) 1005 total
Rex Freling (165-pound class) 990 total
Harshaan Lally (165-pound class) 995 total
Wyatt Gremillion (181-pound class) 1515 total, 2nd place
Carter Lewis (198-pound class) 1900 total, 1st place
Logan Amidon (220-pound class) 1440 total
Blake Robinson (275-pound class) 1460 total, 3rd place
Eddie Henry (275-pound class) 1335 total
Chandler Bullock (SHW) 1295 total
Kaden Williams (SHW) 1110 total
