Eagle Strong

The powerlifting team will compete in the girls regionals on March 3 at Eustace. Boys will compete on March 11 at West.

“These boys and girls have to workout at least 3 days a week in order to be a part of the powerlifting team. If we lifted today at Regionals, we would have 12 boys and 12 girls qualify for the meet,” athletic director John Bachtel said. “These kids are working extremely hard and are getting stronger each week.”

 Freshman Colton Harvell is 8th in region with a 705 total in the 114 class. Freshman River Bonds is 4th in region with a 1425 total in the 242 class. Freshman Austin Solis is 10th in region with a 685 total in the 114 class. Sophomore Jose Gutierrez is 7th in region with a 740 total in the 114 pound weight class. Sophomore Landon Salinas is 1st in region with a 1545 total in the 242 pound weight class.

“I enjoy powerlifting because I like getting stronger and love putting weight on the bar,” Gutierrez said. “I think that I’m a pretty good lifter and I think I’m going to do great in regionals.”

Junior Eli Castillo is sitting 2nd in our Region with a 1060 Total in the 132 pound weight class. Junior Brady Williams is 1st in region with a 1630 total in the 275 class. Junior Collin Glass is 6th in region with a 1175 total in the 165 pound class Junior Evan Chavers is 1st in our region with a 1400 total in the 181 pound weight class. Senior Cayden Story is 2nd in region with a 1425 total in  the 220 pound weight class. Senior Julio Roque is 5th in region with a 1420 total in the 242 class. Senior Treyden Johnson is 1st in region with a 1830 total in the SHW class.

“What inspired me to start lifting was Coach Jukins the Jr High Coach,” Johnson said. “He was the first person that got me to lift and pushed me to where I am now.”

Advancing to regionals. These are the top girl lifters. Freshman Auren Adams is 6th in region with a 345 total in the 97 pound weight class. Freshman Callie Morgan is 9th in region with a 590 total in the 259 class. Sophomore Lillian Poole is 11th in region with a 575 in the 132 class. Junior Emma Jo Smith is 1st in region with a 750 total in the 114 class.

“I started because I wanted to better myself. I looked myself in the mirror and said I’m kinda built for it,” Morgan said. “It’s actually really fun. My first powerlifting meet was pretty bad but once you get the strategy down it’s pretty easy.”

Junior Taylor Stone is currently 1st in region with a 905 total in the 148 class. Junior Braela Habit is 5th in region with a 685 total in the 165 class. Junior Destiny Dowell is 1st in region with a 980 total in the 259+ class. Junior Kalli Richardson is 5th in region with a 815 total in the 220 class. Senior Tashan Gomer is 3rd in region with a 735 total in the 259 class. Senior Melanie Banda is 5th in region with a 645 total in the 259 class. Senior Chasidy Starr is 3rd in region with a 710 total in the 148 class. Senior Danna Munoz is 1st in region with a 830 total in the 198 class. Senior Tashan Gomer is 3rd in region with735 total in the 259 class. 

“I am so proud of myself because I am finally getting to make myself known for something good,” Gomer said. “Now I’m not going to play any games to get business done to make state.”

The girls and boys powerlifting team competed here on February 9 and competed for the last qualifiers in Eustance on February 15. The results say if they are still qualified for regionals. Auren Adams is 3rd with a total of 315 in the 97 weight class. Emma Jo Smith is 1st with a total of 750 in the 114 class. Mackenzie Allen is 5th with a total of 440 in the 123 class. Liillan Poole is 3rd with a total of 570 in the 132 class. Chasidy Starr is 3rd with a total of 710 in the 148 class. Braela Habit is 4th with a total of 685 in the 165 class. Karis Mayer is 8th with a total of 460 in the 165 class. Donna Munoz is 2nd with a total of 830 in the 198 class. Tashan Gomer is 2nd with a total of 735 in the 259 class. Melanie Banda is 3rd with a total of 645 in the 259 class. Callie Morgan is 4th with a total of 590 in the 259 class. Destiny Dowell is 1st with a total of 980 in the 259+ class. 

“I believe powerlifting is one of the most mentally demanding sports at Fairfield High School. One of my coaches, Coach Tunstall, has helped me overcome the mental challenges of this sport by supporting me through every fit and meet. I would have never discovered how much I loved powerlifting if it wasn’t for the coaching staff,” Smith said. “Powerlifting is a fun sport where you discover new friends and how to overcome adversity. It can be tough sometimes, but this sport also teaches you how to become strong and how to never back down from a challenge even when it gets hard.”

The boys powerlifting for the last qualifiers here on February 23. Austin Solis is 1st with a total of 740 in 144 weight class. Colton Harvell is 2nd with a total of 715 in 144 class. Aiden Adams is 5th with a total of 460 in the class 144. Dj Otero is 6th with a total of 675 in the class 132. Jutus Savage is 7th with a total of 950 in 148 class.. Luke Leatherman is 11th with a total of 690 in 165 class. Darion Weatherall is 3rd with a total of 1200 in the 181 class. 

“This year has been the most total boys and girls we have qualified, we are very proud,” Coach Pate said. “The objective is to qualify as many as possible to state meet anything after that is icing on a cake.”

Kyler Shick is 5th with a total of 1165 in the 181 class. Mason Edwards is 11th with a total of 1000 in the 180 class.  Cayden Story is 1st with a total of 1450 in the 220 class. Randy Mabery is 9th with a total of 1130 in the 220 class. John Macke is 13th with a total of 985 in the 220 class. Brayden Thornburg is 8th with a total of 1260 in the 242 class. Jay Craddick is 10th with a total of 1000 in the 242 class. Landon Salinas is 1st with a total of 1600 in the 242 class. 

“I like lifting and the environment. Also love lifting the weights I am right now, the coaches, and getting stronger, Mabery said. “I am glad to be a part of the team and I think we are going to do good.”