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Live Oak’s powerlifting team celebrates its first state championship, a hard-earned victory over rival West Monroe.Farmerville TodayAfter a slow start to the program, Live Oak’s girls powerlifting team has evolved into state champions. Led by three individual state champions, the Lady Eagles compiled 79 points to edge out defending champion West Monroe and claim the school’s first powerlifting state title.
Why it matters
Live Oak’s powerlifting success represents a remarkable turnaround for the program, which had just one qualifier four years ago and none the following season. The state title is the second in school history, after the softball team won in 1995, and showcases the hard work and dedication of the student-athletes.
The details
In Live Oak’s first two years under coach Cash Littlefield, the team had minimal participation. But over the past two seasons, the program has blossomed, sending 10 lifters to the state championships this year. Three of those athletes – Kaila Maher, Brynn Catalano, and Jenna Robertson – won individual state titles, powering Live Oak to the team championship by edging out West Monroe 79-77.
- Live Oak had one qualifier in Littlefield’s first year as coach.
- The following year, Live Oak had no qualifiers and Littlefield did not attend the state meet.
- Last year, Live Oak sent four state qualifiers – three freshmen and a sophomore – and tied for seventh in the team standings.
- This year, Live Oak sent 10 lifters to the state championships, where they won the Division I team title on March 28, 2026.
The players
Cash Littlefield
The Live Oak coach who took over the powerlifting program four years ago and has built it into a state champion.
Kaila Maher
A sophomore who won the 97-pound state title with a 590-pound total.
Brynn Catalano
A sophomore who set the state record of 370 pounds in the bench press and won the 123-pound state title with an 875-pound total.
Jenna Robertson
A sophomore who won the 198-pound state title with a 1,020-pound total, improving on her second-place finish the previous year.
Lilli Jeansonne
A junior who was a track-specific athlete that joined the powerlifting team this year and contributed to Live Oak’s state title.
What they’re saying
“I’m just really happy for the girls. They’re an emotional group. They’re a really fun group. If you come into their (athletics) class at third hour, you may see line dancing. You might hear rock and roll or rap. They’re always going to have fun. They wear their emotions on their sleeves.”
— Cash Littlefield, Live Oak Coach
“There were so many tears. Getting to see them celebrate and knowing they had done something special for Live Oak that hadn’t been done by any team in a long time was really special. It was special for me because it was the senior group that had started with me. All of the girls helped contribute. It was really awesome to see. They love and support each other.”
— Cash Littlefield, Live Oak Coach
What’s next
Live Oak will look to defend its state title next year, with its trio of sophomore state champions leading the way.
The takeaway
Live Oak’s powerlifting program has undergone a remarkable transformation, going from minimal participation to capturing the school’s first state championship in the sport. The team’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the student-athletes, as well as the coaching of Cash Littlefield, who has built the program from the ground up.
