Marble Falls powerlifting wins boys, girls divisions at Lampasas Invitational
CAPTION: Marble Falls’ Aaron Arredondo is one of several medalists who helped lead Marble Falls to the team championship of the Lampasas Invitational. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Marble Falls High School powerlifting team won the Lampasas Invitational Jan. 19 in both the girls and boys divisions.
“I had a feeling before this year started, even last year,” head coach Robert Draper said. “Next year we’re going to be a good team in powerlifting. We have enough depth that we’re going to get points.”
The Mustangs earned four individual gold medals en route to winning the team division. And the individual winners didn’t surprise Draper as he has witnessed their lifting sessions and commitment to the program.
The Mustangs edged Brownwood with 43 points to the Lions’ 42. Squads are limited to 12 lifters per meet, which drew a total of 104 lifters.
Aaron Arrendondo won the 132-pound division with a 405-pound squat, a 270-pound bench press, and a 415-pound deadlift for a total weight of 1,090 pounds. Aaron Dominguez was second in the division with a 355-pound squat, 175-pound bench press, and a 355-pound deadlift for a total of 885 pounds.
Josue Garcia won the 181-pound division with a 500-pound squat, a 300-pound bench press, and a 575-pound deadlift for a total of 1,375 pounds.
Xavier Lopez won the 198-pound division thanks to a 605-pound squat, a 300-pound bench press, and a 700-pound deadlift for total of 1,605 pounds. Noah Escandon finished sixth with a 500-pound squat, a 305 pound bench press, and a 460-pound deadlift for a total of 1,265 pounds. Keaton Proctor was 14th with a 350-pound squat, a 185-pound bench press, and a 335-pound deadlift for a total of 870 pounds.
“Xavier is a top three lifter in any class,” Draper said.
Chase Richard won the 123-pound division thanks to a 340-pound squat, a 215-pound bench press, and a 375-pound deadlift for a total of 930 pounds.
Jose Solorzano was second in the 220-pound division with a 500-pound squat, a 290-pound bench press, and a 440-pound deadlift with a total weight of 1,230 pounds. Sergio Hernandez was third with a 460-pound squat, a 235-pound bench press, and a 420-pound deadlift for a total weight of 1,115. Tyler Jackson-Leverett was 12th with a squat of 250 pounds, a bench press of 145 pounds, and a deadlift of 275 pounds for a total of 670 pounds.
Christian Sein was fourth in the 114-pound division with a squat of 225 pounds.
Jose Galvan was sixth in the 242-pound division with a 345-pound squat, a 175-pound bench press, and a 375-pound deadlift for a total weight of 895 pounds.
The Lady Mustangs also turned in some impressive lift totals.
“I was truly proud of our girls,” Draper said. “With 12 girls, we have a full girls team, and you normally don’t get that often. Girls sometimes have a tendency to shy away from the weight room. Bur our girls are expanding themselves to see how strong they can be. I was pleased with them and how well they did.”
Paige Kemp won gold thanks to a squat of 305 pounds, a 175-pound bench press, and a 285-pound deadlift for a total of 765 pounds. Sophia Trudeau earned bronze with a squat of 260 pounds, a 185-pound bench press, and a 250-pound deadlift for a total of 695 pounds.
Stephanie Amezquita finished second thanks to a squat of 180 pounds, an 85-pound bench press, and a 215-pound deadlift for a total of 480 pounds.
Kenadi Dalton also earned a silver medal thanks to lifting a total of 525 pounds: 205-pound squat, 100-pound bench press and a 220-pound deadlift.
Another silver medalist was Chloe Humphreys, who had a 325-pound squat, a 130-pound bench press, and a 325-pound deadlift for a total of 780 pounds.
Genesis Lemon was third with a 250-pound squat, a 115-pound bench press, and a 300-pound deadlift for a total of 665 pounds.
Sandra Gonzales earned the bronze medal with a squat of 280 pounds, a 145-pound bench press, and a 285-pound deadlift for a total of 710 pounds. Alexis Dalton was fourth with a 260-pound squat, a 115-pound bench press, and a 310-pound deadlift for a total of 685 yards. Jaylin Hinojosa was 20th with a 195-pound squat, an 80-pound bench press, and a 185-pound deadlift for a total of 460 pounds.
Cheyenne Blair was sixth in the 132-pound division because of a 190-pound squat, a 105-pound bench press, and a 190-pound deadlift for a total of 485 pounds.
Isabel Medina was seventh with a 245-pound squat, a 120-pound bench press, and a 270-pound deadlift for a total of 635 pounds.
The number of lifters earning points in each weight class speaks to a fact about Marble Falls, Draper said.
“We have depth in a lot of areas,” he said. “You have to have good depth in the weight classes. We have kids in various weight classes. We have quality kids in different classes that add up to making us really good.”
While coaches are limited to 12 lifters per team during the regular season, there is no cap for the number who can qualify for the regional meet. And that’s where the Mustangs and Lady Mustangs can truly shine, Draper said.
“I could have up to 14 kids,” he said. “We preach to the kids it’s all about teamwork and working for each other. Our kids have decided they’re going to be in the weight room. A lot of kids work out with each other. A lot of the kids go to the gym at night and lift. They’ll text me stuff at 11 at night. They have video of themselves squatting. They’ve dedicated themselves to being good.”
The other important part of the powerlifting teams’ success is the number of freshmen who have joined, which speaks well to the program’s future.
“They’re getting experience,” the coach said. “To be good at powerlifting, you have to be driven. We have tripled our powerlifting numbers since I’ve been here. Kids are figuring it out.”
Marble Falls will compete at the Llano Invitational at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at the John L. Kuykendall Arena and Events Center, 2200 RR 152 West.
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