With most of the season under their lifting belts, the powerlifting teams prepare for regional competition.
“If we lift well, regionals will go well,’’ Coach Lonnie Hines said. “We have lots of kids in a good position.”
Junior Kayla Coon has been to regionals before and sits in third position in the Region I rankings for the 123-pound class.
“I’m not sure how the regional meet will go,” Coon said. “I’m just going to trust in God.”
The top 10 lifters in each weight class in the region qualify for regionals. Junior Kelby Anderson qualified in the 114-pound weight class, senior Coe Kubicek and freshman Alfredo Gonzales qualified in the 132-pound class, senior Jose Flores made it in the 242-pound class while senior Brandon Lujan is an alternate in the 242-pound class.
“Regionals will be really tough,” Flores said. “There’s going to be some competition for me.”
Previous meets have helped lifters set goals.
“The last meet encouraged me in that I can do a lot more,” Coon said. “My goal for regionals is to get a total of 650 pounds or more.”
Flores has a different perspective.
“I’m trying not to get hurt myself, and I’m taking it a little easy,” Flores said. “My goal is to break the region record in bench press and to qualify for state.”
A handful of SHS lifters have been ranked near the top of their respective weight classes all season.
“It means a lot to be third in the top 15 of my weight class,” Flores said. “It shows how strong you are compared to others.”
The top three places at region will go to state.
“To be in the top 15 in my weight class just means God has blessed me with a stronger body,” Coon said. “I’ve just been praying and working hard.”
Hines said they’re going to have to compete hard because there are no free rides at regionals.
“In this sport you have to qualify, and the kids have been placing high and doing well,” Hines said. “Coon has already made it to regionals, and this last meet set the final standings for rest.”
Results of Big Lake Meet on Feb. 26
Men’s Team–19th overall; 132-pound weight class–Gonzales–third (325 pounds squat, 190 pounds bench, 335 pounds deadlift = 850 pounds total); 148 pound weight class–Freshman Jadon Hatley–12th (335 pounds squat, 160 pounds bench, 325 pounds deadlift = 820 pounds total); 165 pound weight class–freshman Ramon Juarez–12th (350 pounds squat, 195 pounds bench, 345 pounds deadlift = 890 pounds total); 181 pounds weight class–freshman Taylor Edwards–11th (365 pounds squat, 210 pounds bench, 340 pounds deadlift = 915 pounds total); 220 pound weight class— freshman Jordon Dyck–11th (340 pounds squat, 245 pounds bench, 330 pounds deadlift = 915 pounds total); freshman Andrew Johnson–12th (330 pounds, 245 pounds bench, 335 pounds deadlift = 825 pounds total); 242 pound weight class–Lujan–10th (470 pounds squat, 240 pounds bench = 710 pounds total)
Results of Kermit Meet on Feb. 19
Women’s Team–11th overall; 123-pound weight class–Coon–second (255 pounds squat, 135 pounds bench, 250 pounds dead lift = 640 pounds total)
Men’s Team–fifth overall; 114-pound weight class–Anderson–second (210 pounds squat, 110 pounds bench, 225 pounds deadlift = 545 total); 132-pound weight class–Gonzalez–third (320 pounds squat, 170 ponds bench, 300 pounds deadlift = 790 total); Freshman Logan Gersbach–seventh (235 pounds squat, 150 pounds bench, 265 pounds deadlift = 650 pounds total); 148-pound weight class–Juarez–sixth (370 pounds squat, 185 pounds bench, 360 pounds deadlift = 915 pounds total);181-pound weight class–Edwards–third (365 pounds squat, 220 pounds bench, 360 pounds deadlift = 945 pounds total); 242-pound weight class–Flores–first (535 pounds squat, 380 pounds bench, 460 pounds deadlift=1375 pounds total)