The powerlifting teams will compete in Blooming Grove Saturday. This meet will be the teams’ first competition in two weeks, as the flu caused a school cancellation on February 2 and February 9 was a scheduled open week.

“Having two weeks to prepare has only built up my anticipation for the upcoming meet,” senior Ashlyn Garcia said. “This time has allowed me to give my body a much needed break while also getting proper training and treatments.”

At the Bullard meet on January 26, the girls team placed first. Garcia placed third, sophomore Rileigh White placed fourth, freshman Mattie Hagen placed fifth, sophomore Abby Coleman placed first, senior Edith Cockerell placed first, junior Daeja Harris placed second, freshman Makensy Isaacs placed fifth, freshman Breyunna Dowell placed third, junior Tylie Bruce placed second, junior Bailey Jones placed third, junior Brianna Gray placed fourth, and junior Charity Starr placed fourth in their respective weight classes.

“Not only have I become physically stronger this year, but I have become more resilient and able to bounce back in any situation,” Garcia said. “This year has also helped me become a better leader by teaching, guiding, and sometimes coaching the underclassmen and new lifters.”

Also at the Bullard meet, the boys team placed seventh. Freshman Arturo Esparza placed eighth, freshman Alonzo Moffitt placed fourth, freshman Kelton Carlson placed eighth, freshman Nick Martinez placed eighth, freshman Darian Harris placed eighth, sophomore Joan Munoz placed fifth, senior Justin Cooper placed fifth, junior Chandler Noble placed first, and freshman Bosque Monico placed fourth in their respective weight classes.

“The last meet was a mix of fun, challenging and surprising,” Esparza said. “I saw what I could do when I was backed by my family.”

At the Fairfield meet on January 17, the girls team placed first, and the boys team placed third. Junior Madi Isaacs earned the outstanding lifter in the light platform category, and Jones earned the outstanding lifter in the heavy platform category.

“Our meets usually run smooth due to the help we get,” powerlifting coach Kevin Childers said. “This year, I hope to have as many regional and state qualifiers as possible.”