Magdalena Senior powerlifter Aliza Apache ended her short career on a high note with a 4th place finish at the New Mexico high school powerlifting championships at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday.

Apache picked up powerlifting last year and has excelled in the sport from the start under coach Danny Daniels.

On Saturday, Apache accumulated her 580-pound grand total by using a 195-pound squat, a 260-pound deadlift, and a 125-pound bench press.

“It was a short season, but I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to go to state,” Apache said in an Instagram post.

Apache shined her brightest on powerlifting’s biggest stage because she went into the event with a personal-best combined total of 560 pounds.

“I’m super proud of Aliza. She went to state with a total weight of 560 pounds. She was locked in, getting her PR in all three lifts. She finished with a total weight of 580. She was her best at the highest level, finishing fourth in the 165-pound weight class,” Daniels said.

Russell Huffman, El Defensor Chieftain Asst. Editor