Whitacre finished first overall in division at USA Powerlifting State Championship
Petersburg senior Gabriele Whitacre powers the bar up during one of her bench lifts on Feb. 7, 2026, in Anchorage at the USA State Powerlifting Championships. Whitacre set a new record with a 187.4 lift in the bench press in the women's teen division.
Roughly a year ago, Petersburg senior Gabriele Whitacre began her powerlifting journey in Anchorage, where she set the USA Powerlifting State record at 165 pounds for bench in the age 16-17 group. About a year later, Whitacre continues to break records and ascend to new heights this past weekend at the USA Powerlifting State Championship, in Anchorage.
With her trainer Chris Peterson, Whitacre has been on the grind since June with an emphasis on benching and back strength.
"Squat, bench and deadlift all require a really strong back for lifting and we were really trying to push up my bench numb...
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