The Lady Tiger powerlifting team traveled to Whitehouse last Wednesday to compete in the regional powerlifting meet. The Lady Tiger team is comprised of fourteen total members, of which ten qualified for regionals. Out of those ten lifters, three lifters including senior Ashlynn Brooks, senior Jalissa Alvarez, and sophomore Nayeli Jaimes qualified for the state meet.

Brooks and Alvarez both notched their second straight state berths with first place finishes in the 148-lb,165-lb, and 181-lb classes, respectively. For Brooks, the squat was a battle from the start and left her in second place trailing by five pounds. The bench would see Brooks drop in the standings from 2nd to 3rd and leave her looking at a 20-to-40-pound gap between second those two places. Steadfast and stone-faced, Brooks set out to not only catch her two competitors but beat them both resoundingly in the deadlift. Having to gain a personal record on her final attempt of 320 pounds is what Brooks needed to tie for 1st place and knock out the 2nd place competitor. Quiet, reserved and confident, Brooks stepped onto the platform, set herself, and pulled her 320-lb personal record, solidifying her 1st place finish.

Alvarez was the lone competitor in the 165-lb class for the Lady Tigers. It was a fight from the start but after the squat, Alvarez stood alone in first place by a 20-lb margin. The bench saw Alvarez gain another new personal record, but it wasn’t enough to hold her 1st place ranking as she fell to being tied for second by a 25-lb margin. Confident in her ability to overcome her previous deadlift failures, Alvarez bounced back excited about the challenge she faced. Quickly closing the 45-lb gap on her first deadlift attempt, Alvarez took a narrow lead on her second attempt, presenting her third attempt as her showcase moment. Her final attempt would be her best, as she dispensed of her 320-lb personal record, crushing her competition, and taking first place by a 40-lb margin.

Jaimes secured her second career state berth as a sophomore competing in the 181-lb class. Leading from start to finish, Jaimes jumped out to an early lead with a 70-lb lead after the first lift. Her competitors drew within 25-lbs after the bench but Jaimes regathered herself and dominated the deadlift to set a new personal record for total weight.

Each of the state qualifiers finished first in their class and were named Regional Champions. Other medalists were Marianna Gonzalez (3rd Place – 132-lb Class), Arlette DeJesus (5th Place – 114-lb Class), and Alexandra Martinez (132-lb Class). Alvarez was also recorded the best deadlift on the light platform and Jaimes recorded the best squat on the heavy platform.

The THSWPA State Meet will be held in Corpus Christi on March 20.

The Tigers did not fare as well with only four qualifiers competing in the regional meet last Thursday. Senior Zane Phillips was the only one to medal with a fifth-place finish in the 165-lb class. Junior Astin Ledbetter set a personal record in total weight but was unable to place while Junior Elias Elizondo placed 11th in the 181-lb class. Senior Tyler Welborn made his first regional appearance and placed 6th in the super heavy weight class.

By Drew Barkley
Photo by Kelly Cowan

Bottom (L-R): Joshlyn Paloblanco, Arlette DeJesus, McKinsee Oviedo, Ashlyn Brooks, Elizabeth Lockett, Nayeli Jaimes, Jenna Cook, Jalissa Alvarez

Top (L-R): Elias Elizondo, Zane Phillips, Astin Ledbetter, Tyler Welborn, Mariana Gonzalez, Alexandra Martinez