Marble Falls powerlifters finish 2nd at Burnet Invitational
CAPTION: Marble Falls powerlifter Genesis Lemon returns for another season and is among the leaders of the squad. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Marble Falls High School powerlifting teams began the 2024 season with some impressive finishes at the Burnet Invitational Jan. 11.
The Mustangs won the boys division, while the Lady Mustangs finished sixth in the girls division.
Head coach Richard Scales noted the Mustangs won the meet despite one lifter missing a lift and not contributing any points. In all Marble Falls captured four gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal en route to the win.
“It was a big deal,” he said. “Eleven of our lifters contributed toward point totals. I was a little concerned over (not having a 12th lifter contribute to the scoring). Then we went to the deadlift. We coach up the deadlift. The kids excel in deadlifting.”
Several Mustangs were listed as the meet’s best lifters. They are Aaron Arredondo, Adan Lopez, Xavier Lopez and Jose Solorzano.
In fact Xavier Lopez also was the best lifter in the 198-pound to the super heavy weight class in the squat and deadlift. Aaron Dominguez was the best lifter in the squat, Arredondo was the best lifter in the bench press, and Adan Lopez was the best lifter in the deadlift all in the 114-pound to 181-pound classes.
And each Mustang who lifted at the Burnet Invitational is ranked in Division 2A of the Texas High School Powerlifting Association.
The Mustangs also posted some new personal bests, though Scales believes every lifter can add more weight. The goal is to get many lifters qualified for the regional meet and then advance to the state meet.
“We still have a lot left to put on the platform,” he said. “We’re starting to separate ourselves a little more. I was really pleased with the opening meet. This was our base and getting back into the groove of things. We’re setting our baseline and seeing where we’re at and seeing where we’ve grown.”
The girls team is a work in progress, Scales said. The goal is to get more Lady Mustangs to join the team. He pointed out some have commitments outside of school that are challenging to work through.
“I was extremely proud of our girls,” he said. “Of the six lifters, four never lifted (at a meet) before. Two are freshmen and one sophomore. They’re learning the commands, learning the way of powerlifting. There’s a whole lot left. I’m super excited.”
One of the coaches’ favorite parts about this sport is when they have an athlete who earned a medal, and they tell their coach it’s their first individual accomplishment they’ve experienced through a school activity. Scales noted that happed with Montserrat Fregoso.
“That was cool,” he said. “They’re motivated. We only have two veterans on the team. I’m super excited about the girls team. They have opportunities to do well. This is a group that’s going to be really good.”
Marble Falls will attend the Lampasas Invitational at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18.
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RESULTS
Marble Falls (squat-bench-deadlift–total)
Boys, first overall in the team standings
1, Xavier Lopez, 610-275-675–1,560; 1, Jose Solorzano, 600-335-500–1,435; 1, Aaron Arredondo, 405-315-425–1,145; 1, Adan Lopez, 370-230-450–1,050; 2, Aaron Dominguez, 430-195-415–1,040; 3, Christian Sein, 300-185-340–825; 4, Nathan Carrillo, 375-230-420–1,025; 5, Sergio Hernandez, 475-225-465–1,165; 6, Jose Galvan, 500-235-405–1,140; 7, Xavier Soza, 355-245-385–985; 9, Keaton Proctor, 450-225-375–1,050
Girls, sixth in the team standings
2, Genesis Lemon, 275-125-275–675; 3, Montserrat Fregoso, 225-120-230–575; 5, MaKenzie Long, 135-70-170–375; 5, Abigail Boucher, 255-110-250–615; 5, Sophia Pedraza, 190-225-230–575
