Three Marble Falls Mustangs qualify for state powerlifting meet, Burnet sets new personal bests

CAPTION: The Marble Falls Mustangs show their strength and might at a powerlifting regional meet where they finish third in the team standings. Courtesy photo

Three Marble Falls High School boys powerlifters are headed to the state meet after finishing in the top two of their weight classes at the Class 4A Region 2 Division 2 meet March 11.

They are Chase Richard, who won the 123-pound division; Jasael Ruiz, who was second in the 148-pound division; and Xavier Lopez, who won the 181-pound division who helped the Mustangs finish third overall in the team standings.

Lopez totaled a 625-pound squat, 275-pound bench press, and a 700-pound dead lift for a total of 1,600 pounds. Richard totaled a 350-pound squat, 225-pound bench press, and a 365-pound dead lift for a total of 920 pounds.

Lopez was named the meet’s outstanding squatter, dead lifter and outstanding lifter, which wasn’t a surprise to attendees or head coach Robert Draper. The coach pointed out that Richard was simply his normal self despite facing some personal challenges.

“(Those in the arena) stopped what they were doing to watch (Lopez),” Draper said. “Chase (suffered an injury) and still won. He’s a competitor.

Ruiz totaled a 465-pound squat, 255-pound bench press, and a 480-pound dead lift for a total of 1,200 pounds.

“Jasael fought tooth and nail for second,” Draper added . “A lot of kids were very close in weight totals, they were very similar. Three of them are going to state from that class. It was a close battle for third and fourth, and he got second through his dead lift. He wanted to do more. That’s who he is — he’s a competitor and wants to do well.”

And though no Burnet Bulldog advanced past the regional meet, head coach Tyler McIntosh said just about every lifter set new personal bests to end their season.

Case in point was senior Jose Rodriguez in the 148-pound division with a 430-pound squat, 245-pound bench press, and a 435-pound dead lift for a total of 1,110 pounds.

“He’s a four-time regional qualifier and our only senior (to get to regionals),” McIntosh said. “This is the first time he’s medaled since he’s been there. He set (new personal records) in the bench press and dead lift. He had a very good day.”

Teammate Brady Rygaard finished fourth in the 165-pound division with a 445-pound squat, 315-pound bench press, and a 475-pound dead lift for a total of 1,235 pounds.

“He tied his best in the squat, set a (new personal record) in the bench press and tied his best dead lift,” the coach said. “He got a medal.”

Teammate Luke Hudgins was third in the 220-pound division thanks to a 475-pound squat, 310-pound bench press, and a 510-pound dead lift for a total of 1,295 pounds.

Burnet’s Jack Vanaartsen finished fifth in the 220-pound division with a 475-pound squat, 345-pound bench press, and a 450-pound deadlift for a total of 1,270 pounds.

“Luke and Jack were 10th and 11th in the region going into the meet,” the coach said. “There were a couple of people who bombed out early and a couple of kids who dropped their deadlift weight. If you’re not following the rules, you get disqualified. Some kids got disqualified. (Hudgins and Vanaartsen) both (set new personal records) in the squat and bench.”

Mcintosh commended the lifters, especially Hudgins, who has been doing the extra during the offseason for football.

“When we saw Luke was third, we were ecstatic,” he said. “He does everything right. I was really excited for him.”

In the 114-pound division, Marble Falls’ Christian Sein finished fifth thanks to a 285-pound squat, 155-pound bench press, and a 260-pound dead lift for a total of 700 pounds.

“He excelled,” Draper said.

Teammate Aaron Dominguez was fourth in the 132-pound division with a 370-pound squat, 195-pound bench press, and a 365-pound dead lift for a total of 930 pounds.

“Aaron was a competitor who got in there and did it,” the coach said.

Marble Falls’ Adan Lopez was sixth in the 148-pound division thanks to a 395-pound squat, 255-pound bench press, and a 445-pound dead lift for a total of 1,095 pounds.

Teammate Noah Escandon was fifth in the 198-pound division with a 535-pound squat, 320-pound bench press, and a 475-pound dead lift for a total of 1,330 pounds.

China Spring, which won the Class 4A Division I football state championship, captured the team powerlifting championship with 27 points and Alvarado was the runner-up with 24 points. Marble Falls scored 23 points and Burnet was 11th with seven points.

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