UPDATE–Two days after this story was written, sophomore Andrew Alvidrez took fourth place in the Division II state powerlifting meet with a total of 1205 pounds.

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Lifting 1,160 pounds in one day is not the scariest thing sophomore powerlifter Andrew Alvidrez does on a regular basis.

As Region I powerlifting champion in the 148-pound class, Alvidrez knows about the pressure of competition because he has been riding bulls since age 13. Alvidrez, who will represent Seminole in Division II state powerlifting competition on March 23 in Abilene.

“I will have to lift a lot more than I can imagine,” Alvidrez said. “Hopefully, if I do my very best, the outcome will come out as I want.”

Out of the 12 state qualifiers in Division II, Alvidrez has out-lifted seven of their region competition totals, but his biggest challenge comes from senior Bailey Clemetra of Paris, located northeast of Dallas. Clemetra was the Region III champion with a total of 1,250 pounds.

“He is really strong,” Alvidrez said. “Even if I do my very best, I may get second again.”

Alvidrez, who placed second at state last year in the 132-pound weight class, moved up to the 148-pound this season.

“There is a lot more competition because of the different division,” Alvidrez said. “Last year wasn’t exactly simple, but I have to push myself harder this year.”

Alvidrez has played football competitvely for years, but this year he also joined the swim team.

“It has made me more lean and has helped me with muscle memory,” Alvidrez said. “It has helped me do more reps.”

Alvidrez went from Coach Eric Pierce as a freshman to new powerlifting Coach Jonathan Long as a sophomore.

“Andrew is a very tough competitor,” Long said. “What I like about him is that he demands a lot of himself. He pushes himself to the limit for sure.”

Alvidrez said Long has helped push him and made him stronger each day but his dad has always been his biggest motivator.

“My dad is the hardest working man I know,” Alvidrez said. “He shows me I need to give my all and never give up.”

Andrew also finds inspiration through knowing that he is conquering something bigger than himself.

“It’s knowing that when I’m not training, someone else is,” Alvidrez said, “ and that gives me inspiration to train even harder when I have the chance.”

Alvidrez said he prays before he competes for the high school or at a bullriding competition.

“I pray before every meet for God to give me strength and skill to do my best,” Alvidrez said. “In the end, even if I don’t win, I give Him the glory.”

Alvidrez’s dream of competing started when he was three with bullriding after he watched the movie 8 Seconds.

“A lot of people ask me ‘Why do you do it?’,” Alvidrez said. “It’s my dream, and I want to do it for the rest of my life.”

Alvidrez, who is the 2011 National Junior Bullriding Champion and finished one place out of nationals at the high school state bullriding championships in June, is ranked in the top six in the state in his powerlifting weight class. He said knowing that he wasn’t doing these things alone has kept his ego in check.

“None of it was me, it was all God,” Alvidrez said. “I’m blessed to have this potential and knowing that keeps me grounded.”

Alvidrez gives back by mentoring younger athletes.

“I help the freshman lifters as much as I can,” Alvidrez said. “When I was younger, the only one who helped me was Coach Pierce, so I try to help the others as much as I can.”

Alvidrez said that he loves the feeling every time he gets a successful lift.

“I never imagined I could go to state in lifting,” Alvidrez said. “It’s taught me that hard work pays off.”

Long said Andrew is mentally tough.

“It’s not easy to put 440 pounds on your back when you only weigh 144 pounds,” Long said. “Also, with him riding bulls at a high level like he does, you will need mental toughness for sure.”

Long said Alvidrez pushes himself to the limit, but for Andrew, it is not all work at the competitions.

“When I’m powerlifting, I focus a lot more,” Alvidrez said. “ When I’m on a bull, I just have fun.”

(This story contains portions of an unpublished interview done by Angela Sims in May 2012)