Kadyn Bourgeois, left, and Landyn Romero earned a banner to hang in the school for their third-place team finish. 

DELCAMBRE – Delcambre High School has become a powerlifting hot-spot.

Fresh off an impressive performance at the LHSAA state meet, the Panthers took USA Powerlifting’s national championships by storm in their first-ever appearance at the event.

In the girls division, Keira Segura (132 lbs.) placed first, Kaitlyn Duplantis (200) and Ariel Villa (132) both placed fourth, and Emma Dunigan (148) was 31st.

In boys, Landyn Romero (123) and Kadyn Bourgeois (181) each placed third as the DHS boys equipped team also finished in third place. Corbin Braun (220) won a junior varsity national championship.

“Everybody did great and hit a personal best,” coach Brad Armentor said.

Segura moved up to a higher weight class after dominating the state meet. The senior competed raw – without any equipment such as a squat suit – and obliterated her previous personal best in the lift by 23 pounds.

“I did better than I thought I was going to do,” she said. “The national meet meant a lot to me, but I was looking at it as just another meet so I wouldn’t psyche myself out. If you stress out too much, you’re not going to perform well.”

Duplantis, a junior, placed second in her debut at the state meet. She thrived under pressure, hoisting a new personal record in the deadlift, her favorite event, to reach the podium.

“I remember being so excited,” she said. “It’s a feeling I’ll never get over, being up on the stage with everybody cheering for you, and knowing that your teammates are behind you and supporting you through the whole thing.”

Segura, who plans to attend UL, will continue her career with the Cajun Preps organization. Her next meet will be in late June. As the face of the DHS powerlifting program, she will be sorely missed.

“Keira is one of my best friends,” Duplantis said. “Seeing her grow and be a great team captain, it really is an honor to see her achieve all these accomplishments because she is a great person in and out of the weight room. She is a great athlete and friend. I love that.”

Braun and Duplantis, who is expected to graduate first in her class next year, said powerlifting has boosted their confidence.

“It’s the first sport I’ve ever been serious about,” said Braun, a sophomore.

Armentor said lifters from Texas, Wisconsin and the Northeast U.S. were the favorites entering into the national meet, which took place at the Crowne Plaza in Baton Rouge.

“Coach Armentor is very inspirational,” Duplantis said. “He always has a plan for the next lift. We have a lot of trust in him.”