With only one meet behind them, the powerlifting team hosts its home meet tomorrow in the old junior high gym.

“The Seminole meet is very important for this team,” Coach Eric Pierce said. “You would always like to have a shot to not only perform well in front of the home crowd but have a chance to win the meet.”

Not only is the Seminole meet important for the lifters, but it also allows the program a showcase of sorts.

“The home meet also gives us a chance for other students here to see the results of the hard work of the lifters,” Pierce said. “Maybe it will get others excited about lifting in the competition.”

Pierce said junior Kayla Coon was the Maiden to watch.

“Coon has worked harder than about any lifter I have ever had,” Pierce said. “She is doing a wonderful job after making it to the state meet last year, and will have a great shot at regionals.”

For Coon, the Seminole meet is another step on her quest to make it back to state.

“I think I’m going to gain 20-30 pounds on my total at the home meet,” Coon said. “My goal is to go to state again as well as getting at least 660 pounds on my total.”

After losing some powerful lifters to graduation, the team had powerful spots to fill.

“It only really affected us in that Coe Kubicek and I had to step up,” senior Jose Flores said.

Pierce said the seniors last year did a great job of showing leadership to the younger team members.

“This team has some young talent,” Pierce said. “They have a bright future and have a chance to be something special.”

Flores has high goals.

“My expectation is to at least get third at regionals,” Flores said. “My goal is to be the only 400-pound bencher in the region.”

Pierce said the team shows promise in advancing to regionals.

“I truly think that all our lifters have a chance to make it to regionals,” Pierce said. “It looks wide open right now.”

Freshman Andrew Johnson said the team has been pushing itself.

“I think we will do very well,” Johnson said. “We’re going to work really hard so hopefully we get stronger.”

Results of Pecos meet on Jan. 15

Women’s Team–eighth overall; 123-pound weight class–Coon–first (240 pounds squat, 135 pounds bench, 245 pounds deadlift = 620 pounds total); sophomore Tonya Sodd–13th (120 pounds squat, 75 pounds bench, 150 pounds deadlift = 345 pounds total)

Men’s Team–eighth overall; 114-pound weight class–junior Kelby Anderson–fourth (185 pounds squat, 100 pounds bench, 230 pounds deadlift = 515 pounds total); 132-pound weight class–senior Coe Kubicek–first (385 pounds squat, 240 pounds bench, 380 pounds deadlif = 1,005 pounds total); freshman Logan Gersbach–fifth (250 pounds squat, 145 pounds bench, 255 pounds deadlift = 650 pounds total); 220-pound weight class–freshman Jordon Dyck–sixth (295 pounds squat, 220 pounds bench, 270 pounds deadlift = 785 pounds total); Johnson–eighth (250 pounds squat, 160 pounds bench, 260 pounds deadlift = 670 pounds total)