4 Lake View Powerlifters Qualify for State as Chiefs Win Regional Title

Four powerlifters from Lake View High School punched their tickets to the state meet as the Chiefs claimed the overall regional championship in Abilene on Saturday.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:51pm

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Four powerlifters from Lake View High School - James Hogeda, Connor Williams, Joshua Lemos and Ethan Packard - qualified for the state powerlifting meet after the Lake View Chiefs won the overall regional championship in Abilene. Two Chiefs won their weight classes outright, with the other two finishing as runners-up.

Why it matters

The success of these four powerlifters is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Lake View athletics program. As members of the school's football team, their accomplishments in powerlifting show the benefits of cross-training and the positive impact of strong coaching.

The details

James Hogeda won the 275-pound weight class, Ethan Packard won the 132-pound class, while Connor Williams (220-pound class) and Joshua Lemos (181-pound class) finished as runners-up in their respective divisions. Hogeda had to set a new Region I Division II Deadlift record with a 635-pound lift to narrowly edge out the competition and claim his title.

  • The regional championship competition took place on Saturday, March 15, 2026.
  • The state powerlifting meet is scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026.

The players

James Hogeda

A powerlifter from Lake View High School who won the 275-pound weight class at the regional championship.

Connor Williams

A powerlifter from Lake View High School who finished as the runner-up in the 220-pound weight class at the regional championship.

Joshua Lemos

A powerlifter from Lake View High School who finished as the runner-up in the 181-pound weight class at the regional championship.

Ethan Packard

A powerlifter from Lake View High School who won the 132-pound weight class at the regional championship.

Brian Ferrell

The powerlifting coach at Lake View High School who helped prepare the athletes for the regional competition.

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What they’re saying

“At first, I was off to a rocky start. I only got my first squat and second bench. Deadlift really helped me win the competition. My first attempt on squat was 670, my second bench was 425, and then my deadlift was 635.”

— James Hogeda

“He's a really good coach. He's a really smart guy. He's helped improve our form while lifting, and he's always been there for us. It's really nice to have him.”

— James Hogeda

What’s next

The four state qualifiers from Lake View High School will compete at the state powerlifting meet in Abilene on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The takeaway

The success of the Lake View powerlifters demonstrates the benefits of cross-training and the positive impact of strong coaching on student-athletes. Their accomplishments are a source of pride for the school and community, and serve as inspiration for other aspiring powerlifters.