Intensity in the Cypress Creek High School gymnasium rose on Jan. 25, 2024, during the girls weightlifting district competition. On this same day, history was made by freshman Sarah MacMullan, lifting the weight record of a 120-pound snatch and a 150-pound clean and jerk.  

Since she was four, MacMullan has been engaged in weightlifting. She grew up lifting as a personal hobby. At 14, she decided to join the CCHS Girls Weightlifting Team. Being on a team and meeting new people changed her experience with weightlifting. She stated, “Before I was lifting by myself, and it wasn’t as fun to do. But now that I’m on the school team, I met a bunch of new people and it’s a lot better and more fun to lift.” 

On that Thursday afternoon, the district competition was held. She stepped onto the floor, and the tension in the room arose as she attempted a 120-pounds snatch. She succeeded and the crowd clapped and cheered with excitement. Next, performing the clean and jerk technique, she used all her strength lifting the 150-pounds weight towards the gymnasium lights. In that moment, the record was broken. MacMullan exceeded the weightlifting record of CCHS history. The crowd went wild, cheering on the new champion. 

This sport requires much physical strength, but the most important power is mentally. Self-motivation plays a huge factor in that. For MacMullan, her motivation to lift is to place first. “What motivates me the most is definitely trying to win. Getting first is something that I want to do at every meet,” said MacMullan. 

The CCHS Girls Weightlifting Team contains many valuable members. When asked about who she admired most on the team, MacMullan answered Celeste Snider. “I lift with her every practice and she’s so much fun. We lift, and we laugh a lot, I appreciate her the most.”  

The young girl who started weightlifting for fun, now holds the CCHS weightlifting record.