Senior Austin Soto and juniors Steven Ramirez and Lucas Byrd will be traveling to Abilene this coming Friday to compete in the State Powerlifting meet to be held on Saturday, March 25. Those three Warhorses along with approximately 415 additional top lifters from across the state from all classifications will be at the Taylor County Expo Center trying to take home that state championship trophy.
“It’s a great opportunity for each of these young men,” stated Head Coach Paul Gomez. “They have definitely put in the time that it takes to be successful so, now, it’s just a matter of them getting the job done. I’m proud of each of them.”
To qualify for the state championships, a lifter must win first or second in his region or may also qualify by lifting a set weight determined by the Powerlifting Association by weight class. Soto goes to Abilene as the Region 5 State Champion (squat 625lbs, bench 470lbs, deadlift 600lbs, total 1,695lbs) while Ramirez (510lb squat, 295lb bench, 495lb deadlift, total 1,300lbs) and Byrd (510lb squat, 250lb bench, 540lb deadlift, total 1,300lbs) advanced by meeting the qualifying mark.
Registration and the early weigh-in will take place on Friday from 4:00-6:00pm. On Saturday, those that did not make their weight can weigh in again between 6:30am-8:00am. Opening ceremonies will take place at 8:30 a.m. and lifting will begin at 9 a.m. The Expo Center is located at 1700 Highway 136
Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer