Mahailya Reeves, a senior at Bradford High School, has been named the ITG Next 2022 Northeast Florida Female Weightlifter of the Year, presented by Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Baptist Health, and the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute.
Reeves, a four-time state champion and American record holder, never fails to break bench press records. She recently won a state title, benching 380 pounds. At only 18-years-old, Reeves continues to set the bar higher and higher.
Though she makes it look easy, that’s not always the case. Reeves struggled with COVID-19 and depression last year, both of which affected her weightlifting. Communicating heavily with coach Brian Griffis allowed her to slowly return to her usual routine and triumph through the obstacles.
“I did not have the drive to push myself anymore,” said Reeves. “I had to work 10 times harder this year to push the numbers that I did.”
The competition at this year’s state championship proved to be more challenging, and Reeves faced increased pressure to succeed. She pushed through to secure another win, marking her fourth championship title in a row.
“When I started hitting 320, that’s when I got my groove back,” said Reeves.
There is no doubt that Reeves is meant for weightlifting. At the age of 10, she was squatting 125 pounds.
In 2019, she set an all-time world record at the USAPL Raw National Championship, bench pressing 369.2 pounds, squatting 540.1 pounds, and deadlifting 440.9 pounds at the age of 15.
In 2020, Reeves broke her all-time world record with a 37-pound bench press. She won first place for her age group at nationals and third in the open.
Continuing to grow as an athlete and an individual, she recently set a new PR with a box squat of 565 pounds and is inspiring many through her large social media following.
“It’s a big deal to me still,” said Reeves, reflecting on being recognized as a top athlete in the state.
Reeves is still deciding where she will attend college. Her major is undecided as well, but she has a few ideas in mind. Her first pick is to major in journalism, but she is also interested in pursuing a degree that would allow her to become an athletic trainer or physical therapist in the future.
Scholarship offers are flooding in for the athlete, but she doesn’t know which option to choose.
“I know my worth, and I know how much I have worked for what I do and what I have,” said Reeves.
