Lifters to compete in Levelland meet

Dustie Beaubien and Aubrey Hewitt|February 5, 2019

Kaitlin Harrison
First time first– Senior Chloe Gonzales squats 225 pounds at the Seminole meet on Jan. 24. Gonzales took first place in her first ever performance in the 132-pound division.

The powerlifting teams will travel to Levelland on Saturday to compete in their third meet.

  They hosted a meet on Jan. 24 with both teams taking second overall.

  Senior Ian Alvidrez took first in 220-pound division in his quest to get back to state.   

  “I’m stronger than I was,” Alvidrez said. “My core is stronger. My mind set is stronger. I take every meet more seriously. I’m not taking anything for granted because it’s my last year.”

  The athletes are training in hopes of either returning to state or going to state for the first time.

  “Ian Alvidrez will go to state short of a catastrophe,” Indian Coach Call Barnard said. “Also Kwinton Jennings and Devin Doerksen have a shot as well.”

  Another state qualifier, junior Siria Martinez took first in the 181-pound division on Jan. 24. 

  “Last year was the beginning of my powerlifting career,” Martinez said. “It took some adapting, but I fought through it and learned to enjoy the sport.”

  Martinez hopes to move up at the state meet this year.

  “I’m just trying to beat myself and improve in every meet,” Martinez said. “I plan on beating my last meet’s total and taking my spot back as first in Region 1, Division 2.”

  The Maidens embrace the mentoring of younger lifters.

  “The returners are more prepared both physically and mentally,” Maiden Coach Julia Barnard said. “The team is mostly made up of new lifters, giving the returners the chance to mentor and bond with the new lifters.”

  The lifters see the season as an opportunity for growth.

  “I’ve come far in my mental strength,” Martinez said. “I believe there is still room for me to grow.”

Results from Seminole Meet Jan. 24

Maidens–Second with 36 points

114-pound division–-Rani Allain-4th (390 pounds); 123-pound division–-Arielle Fehr-1st (400 pounds); 132-pound division–-Chloe Gonzalez-1st (570 pounds), Dayana Busanes-4th (515 pounds), Ruby Reyes-5th (510 pounds), Jessie Beaubien-6th (390 pounds); 148-pound division–-Karah Lambert-1st (545 pounds); 165-pound division–-Katy Beth Lashaway-3rd (505 pounds); 181-pound division–-Siria Martinez-1st (860 pounds)

Indians–Second with 42 points

132-pound division–-Adalberto Verdugo-2nd (605 pounds); 148-pound division–-Gabriel Zubiate-2nd (865 pounds), Oscar Ariza Arellano-3rd (850 pounds), Colter Robertson-5th (750 pounds); 165-pound division–-Hayden Gray-1st (870 pounds); 220-pound division–-Ian Alvidrez-1st (1560 pounds), Irvin Delgado-4th (1060 pounds); 242-pound division–-Caleb Alexander-2nd (980 pounds); 275-pound division–-Kwinton Jennings-1st (1275 pounds)