The Iron Tribe had about 10 Maidens and one Indian qualify for regionals.
The Maidens will compete in Odessa on March 7, while men’s powerlifting will compete at Abilene Wylie on March 14.
Junior Destiny Neeld was ranked fourth in the region in the 148 weight class.
“Powerlifting is more mental because you have to know that you can do it and believe in yourself,” Neeld said. “My best performance was in the Plains meet because I got some new PRs.”
Freshman Eve Wall Fehr was ranked eighth in the region in the 220-pound weight class unequipped and is new to the sport.
“I think regionals is going to go well,” Wall Fehr said, “but I don’t think I’ll go further into regional because I don’t have that much experience.”
Junior Jaylin Milloy was ranked fifth in the 198-pound weight class, although she qualified for regionals in three weight classes and had to choose one for regionals. She said that regionals would provide an opportunity to make new friends.
Junior Mikayla Bush, who was a veteran on the team, said she looks up to her Coach Ryan Froese.
“He helped me by watching me lift,” Bush said. “He gives me tips on lifting better.”
Powerlifters compete in three types of lifts (squat, bench and dead lift) which combine for a total lifting score.
Junior Yamilet Facio said she preferred dead lift.
“I lifted 230 pounds on dead lift,” Facio said. “It’s easier for me, and I can lift more than bench and squat.”
Sophomore Carolina Harms compete in the 181-pound class. She chose to lift unequipped.
“It’s mainly because I don’t want to rely on the artificial,” Harms said. “When I started I wasn’t good, but the coach pushes me with encouragement and to not get hurt.”
Regional qualifiers also included freshman Elisha Bush, sophomore Airyani Torres, junior Victoria Baros and sophomore Augustina Olvera.
Freshman Damian Flores was the lone Indian to qualify for regionals. He was ranked fifth in the region in the 114-pound unequipped class. That means Flores lifts without special equipment but instead only uses a weight belt.
Coach John Richmond has helped Flores in his journey.
“During a meet, squat isn’t my best because I don’t squat low enough,” Flores said. “So during my squat event, coach stays right there and encourages me to go lower.”
Flores said his best performance has been in Denver City because he got a good PR at the meet.
