The Mount Pleasant High School Tiger and Lady Tiger Powerlifting teams continued their seasons last week at the Paris and White Oak meets. On Thursday, February 8, team members traveled to Paris with several Varsity boys competing at White Oak on Saturday, February 10. Varsity team members are attempting to qualify for the Regional meets to be held at the end of February and early March.

The Lady Tigers had five 1st year lifters earn medals at only the 2nd meet of their careers. For the Lady Tigers, second-year lifter, Saniya Milton, placed 1st in her weight class. Placing 4th in their respective weight classes were Mea Banda, Valerie Cassio, Monserrat Gonzalez, and Mariana Mendez, all first-year lifters. Placing 6th was Jordan West and in 8th place was Diana Ramirez.

For the Tigers at Paris, Nathanial Cates placed 1st in his weight class. Bryson Taylor placed 2nd in his weight class. Placing 4th in their respective weight classes were Carl King, Justin Robertson, and Christian Bello. And rounding out the medals were Andrew Guerette and Isaac Hernandez in 5th place. Jagger Moss, Antonio Hernandez, and Dylan Ramirez finished in 6th with Christian Villalta and Eduardo Cruz finishing the night in 8th place.

On Saturday at White Oak, the Tigers placed 3rd as a team overall. Jose Gonzalez placed 1st in his weight class with Clayton Miller placing 2nd in his. Alejandro Castro, Luis Alvarado, and Juymill Lewis all placed 3rd in their respective weight classes.

“For my 1st year lifters, this was their 2nd meet to ever compete in,” said Lady Tiger coach, Don Woods. “Even though they are new to Powerlifting, they are making moves and forcing their way into the rankings. They are competing with girls who have been doing this for up to 4 years. I am very proud of all of our girls work and effort.”

MPHS Powerlifters have two meets remaining to qualify for Regionals. The Lady Tigers will lift at Sabine on February 15 and the Tigers will be home in Mount Pleasant on February 22. The Lady Tigers are coached by Don Woods and the Tigers are coached by Blake Lodes.

Photos:

MPHS Powerlifters at the Paris meet (photos by MPHS Photography student, Yadira Martinez)

1: Senior Jordan West squats 220 lbs. West finished in 6th place.

2: Sophomore Isaac Hernandez prepares for his squat attempt. Hernandez medaled in 5th place overall.

3: Senior Saniya Milton dead lifts 300 lbs. Milton is the 5th ranked lifter in her weight class in Region 3.

4: Senior Carl King completes a dead lift. King medaled in 4th place overall.