By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
ABILENE, TX — This past Saturday, March 23, Port Isabel’s boys’ powerlifting team competed in the 4A, Division 2 State Powerlifting Championship. The meet was held in Abilene, TX, and featured a whopping 288 lifters from among 111 schools located throughout the state of Texas.
Due to the sheer number of participants, competition was fierce. Port Isabel’s Arnold Lopez who competed in the 114 class, finished in 7th place with a Total lift of 940lbs (Squat:340, Bench Press:210, Dead Lift:390). Lopez had achieved a higher Total Lift of 965lbs earlier in the season which would have been good for 5th place at the state meet. Just a sophomore, expect Lopez to make significant strides in the future.
Others finishing in the top 10 included, junior Aaron Barerra who competed in the 181 class, finished in 10th place with a Total Lift of 1480lbs (Squat: 580, Bench Press:400, Dead Lift:500). Barerra registered his maximum Total Lift of the season during the state meet and marks 95lb improvement from the season’s first powerlifting meet.
Carlos Cabrera who competed in the 242 class, also finished in 10th place with a Total Lift of 1580lbs (Squat:655, Bench Press:470, Dead Lift:455). Cabrera is a senior, set his maximum Total Lift of the season at the state meet with a Total Lift of 1580lbs. Compared to the season’s first meet, it marked an impressive 385lb improvement.
Unfortunately, the following Port Isabel athletes failed to secure a Total Lift: Vicente Azuara (“Bombed Out”), Zeke Palestina (Disqualified) and Mario Nava (Scratched).
In the girl’s division, Port Isabel’s Stacey Suarez was the lone representative at the girls 4A Division 2 State Powerlifting Championship. The state meet was held in Frisco, TX back on March 15 and featured 180 lifters from among 57 schools. Unfortunately, Suarez “Bombed Out” meaning she failed one of the three required lifts in order to post a Total Lift. Suarez had previously achieved a maximum Total Lift of 655 pounds during the season, which would’ve been good enough for 7th place at the state meet. Lifter Leaya Alaniz out of Robstown took first place in Suarez’s weight class with a Total Lift of 890 pounds.
First year powerlifting head coach, John Calvillo believes the season turned out to be a success. “The goal is always to make it to the State Meet. We did that with the girls and boys. I’m excited for the future with qualified 8 girls to Regionals and 10 boys to regionals and only two boys were seniors.” Said coach Calvillo.
“The future looks very promising and our goal next year is to win a Regional Team championship on both sides. With that being said we have a lot of work to do, the goal is have to reach a new level and we are eyeing Team Championships past the regular season.”
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