Sophomore Paige Coté made quite a showing at the Texas Girls’ State Powerlifting Meet in Waco in the Extraco Events Center last Saturday. Paige squatted 345lbs, benched 215lbs, and deadlift 310lbs for an 870lb total to claim 6th place in class 4A.
“Paige bumped up to 330lb on deadlift to try to get 5th place and lifted it but the left judge and middle judge seemed to think there was a hitch so she got red lighted,” stated Head Coach Paul Gomez. “Coach Rotramel and I are very proud of her as she fought for it and competed her heart out. Hopefully that burn inside her will help her work harder this offseason and she can make it back to State and get a medal a year from now. I think she can increase her totals 50 to 60 pounds which will be our goal going into the 2018 season.”
According to Paige, “The State meet was a great learning experience and I am happy to have placed as high as I did; especially only being a sophomore.”
No doubt Paige will be back next season to continue her quest for the championship medal. All Arabian powerlifters enjoyed a great and productive season. In addition to Coté’s regional and state appearances, four other Arabians, Molly Fuller, Celine Samarripa, Journey Shoemake, and Rebecca Fowler qualified for the Regional Tournament. Others to participate and working to make that jump to regional or state next season are Kiana Monreal, Serena Monreal, Felicitas Diaz, Kayla Perez, Penelope Cruz, Destiny Contreras, Clarissa Ybanez, Marla Torres, and Zaylee Zimmerle.
Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer