Galloway wins national powerlifting title

Kasson-Mantorville senior Leila Galloway captured a gold medal at the USA Powerlifting High School National Championships on March 27 in Killeen, Texas, overcoming missed lifts and late pressure to secure the title.
Competitors had three attempts each in the squat, bench press and deadlift, with totals determining the winner. Over roughly two and a half hours, Galloway navigated both setbacks and momentum swings on her way to the championship.
Galloway opened strong in the squat, successfully completing all three attempts, including a personal-record lift of 215 pounds that placed her in first. She then encountered difficulty in the bench press, missing two of her three attempts.
Entering the deadlift in the lead, Galloway successfully lifted 281 pounds before missing a personal-record attempt of 303 pounds, allowing another competitor to move into first place. With the title on the line, Galloway delivered on her final lift to reclaim the lead and secure the gold medal.
“It was amazing. It was all or nothing,” Galloway said, noting the heightened emotions during the final moments.
Her father, Aaron Galloway, described the comeback as unforgettable.
“It’s incredibly hard to fail a lift and then come back and complete it for the title,” he said. “It was one of the most amazing moments of my life.”
Kasson-Mantorville powerlifting coach Jason Murphy praised Galloway’s performance and leadership.
“I can’t say enough about Leila Galloway,” Murphy said. “She’s humble, a great teammate and has been a treat to coach. Best female lifter I’ve coached or seen personally.”
Galloway competes in the 52-kilogram (114-pound) weight class. She qualified for nationals after taking first place at the Minnesota state meet in November in Roseville.
Galloway joined the Kasson-Mantorville powerlifting team as a sophomore and has committed to compete at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, next year. She said the campus atmosphere and the program’s national ranking influenced her decision.
“I joined for fun and ended up really liking it,” Galloway said.
Although Minnesota hosts a USA Powerlifting state meet, the sport is not sanctioned by the Minnesota State High School League due to limited participation. Kasson-Mantorville competes at several meets in Wisconsin under the Wisconsin High School Powerlifting Association.
Murphy, who took over the program in 2019, led the team to its first state title in 2025. The team typically includes 30 to 40 participants and is supported by assistant coaches Logan Murphy and Sydney Kanthack.
Galloway was joined at nationals by seniors Bevin Klampe, Jensen Claffy, Aiden Long and Adrian McManimon.
Murphy said Klampe overcame knee and confidence challenges to set personal records in her final meet. Claffy finished 25th, Long battled through a difficult meet after a consistent high school career, and McManimon, a two-sport athlete who also played soccer, placed 37th.
“I get these kids four months a year,” Murphy said. “It takes accountability, self-drive, determination, and self-motivation to put in the work during the other eight months. Few have that.”
Murphy said he was proud of the group’s performance.
“They represented Kasson-Mantorville and their communities, as well as themselves, amazingly,” he said.

Kasson Mantorville senior powerlifter Leila Galloway stands on the podium after taking gold.

Leila Galloway celebrates with her coach Jason Murphy after a personal record 303 lbs. deadlift to take first place. Galloway was in second place heading into her final lift after having failed the previous try.

From left — Leila Galloway (middle) with her parents Jen and Aaron at the USA Powerlifting high school national championships in Killeen, Texas, on March 27.

K-M powerlifting send five to High School Nationals

Staff Report

Kasson-Mantorville seniors Leila Galloway, Bevin Klampe, Jensen Claffy, Aiden Long and Adrian McManimon competed at the 2026 High School Nationals last month.
Head Coach Jason Murphy said Klampe “showed up.”
“She hammered it,” Murphy said. “Her squat was rough. Felt she hit her second. Sometimes judging is perspective. She went 1-for-3. A lot of kids would have laid down with that. Bevin stayed positive, knowing she had six more lifts. She hit 3-of-3 bench presses with a new personal record; she hit 3-of-3 (deadlifts) with a new PR, which gave her a new PR total.
“That’s a hell of a finish to a high school career,” the coach said. “She battled some knee and confidence issues throughout her career, but peaked her senior year. That’s what it’s about.”
Murphy said Claffy “had an exemplary high school career,” with podium finishes at almost all of his meets, and has been in the top three consistently.
“Kid worked his tail off for four years,” Murphy said. “Made the long drive down to Killeen and got a day’s rest. Showed up at 5:30 a.m. for weigh-ins and went out and had a solid meet.”
Murphy said he was in a large class, finishing “a very respectful 25th” in his final meet.
“Maybe not the outcome he had hoped, but he competed,” Murphy said. “He showed up. He did great.”
McManimon made the same drive with Claffy, the final drive in their career.
He said the dual-sport athlete “always battled the cardio and running for soccer, but showed up to practice daily and worked hard.”
“He showed up and competed and gave it all he had. Very respectable finish,” Murphy said. “Left it all out there.”
Murphy also praised Long for his “excellent high school career.”
He said Long was in the top three consistently, and he went out “and competed.”
“Didn’t have his best meet,” Murphy said. “Had some challenges and changes, but still attempted his lifts. Could have quit and left, like some did. But he finished. One meet does not define four years of accomplishments on the platform. A bad day at the office happens. You rebound. He worked his tail off for four years as well — he should be proud of all that he accomplished.”