Yelm athlete Mason Embrey reflects on historic powerlifting state championship victory

Mason Embrey capped off his high school athletic career in a massive way at the Washington State High School Powerlifting State Championships on Saturday, May 3, at Olympia High School.

The soon-to-be graduate broke three state records in his 165-pound weight division, including the all-time record for squat at 500 pounds, the all-time record for deadlift at 575 pounds, and the all-time record for his three mark total at 1,350 pounds. The three mark total combines the weight of athletes’ squat, deadlift and bench press.

The senior not only won his weight class at the state championship lift on Saturday, May 3, but he also finished the event with the top overall score, according to Yelm Strength Powerlifting on Facebook.

“Powerlifting taught me self worth, confidence, competitiveness and the overall drive needed to accomplish a goal,” Embrey said. “Initially, I was overwhelmed with the emotion of satisfaction, and that ended up moving toward an emotional level of achievement knowing that I can do anything if I set goals, set a plan and commit to that plan.”

Embrey has been a member of Yelm’s powerlifting team since it was established three seasons ago. He said he was proud to play his part in laying the foundation for the program to develop into one of the state’s best.

“I have seen powerlifting exponentially grow across the state in the past two years of being on Yelm powerlifting,” Embrey said. “I am happy to see what this sport grows into and am truly grateful to be a part of the Yelm powerlifting program. A huge thank you to coach Hoghaug who has made this all happen.”

Embrey was joined by junior Luke Brown and freshman Kaynen “Tootsie” Barger as state champion powerlifters. Though he’ll graduate and move on to new endeavors, Embrey offered advice to returning lifters looking to leave their mark on the program.

“My advice would be: have fun,” Embrey said. “This sport is competitive, and some get too caught up in the numbers and the overall work for their goal that they forget what powerlifting is all about. They forget to smile, have fun and just make the most of every lift.”

The senior said he’ll remember his time in Yelm’s powerlifting program as “the beginning.” Last year, he received his first collegiate opportunity to powerlift for Greenville University, and he believes the sport has opened many doors for his future.

“I will remember it for the success and hunger that it has given me toward the sport. And I will remember it for the amazing people I have connected with,” Embrey said. “Because of powerlifting, I am open to so many new opportunities. That includes going to college and doing powerlifting there. It has connected me with some amazing people and has left me with the opportunity to shoot for the stars and aim for the world stage as a powerlifter.”

Embrey was one of three Yelm High School powerlifters to sign to lift collegiately on Tuesday, May 20, at Yelm High School. He’ll lift with Oregon State University’s club team. His teammate, Triniti Hickman, will attend Carson Newman University in Tennessee to lift and study, and Andrei Bubon will continue his education and athletics at McKendree University in Illinois.