The Edinburg North Cougars’ boys powerlifting team flexed its muscle at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association (THSPA) State Championships by winning the Division I team state championship Saturday at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.
While the Cougars took first as a team, 12 Rio Grande Valley powerlifters won individual state championships in their respective divisions and weight classes over the two-day THSPA state meets Friday and Saturday.
Points are awarded for the top five finishes in each weight class in this manner — 7, 5, the 3, 2 and 1. Each lifter goes through three different sets of lifts — squat, bench press and deadlift. The total weight combined from the three lifts determines the winner.
The Cougars totaled 33 team points led by four state champions, one third-place and one fourth-place finish.
Edinburg North’s four state champs are Christian Gomez, 132-pound weight class (630 squat, 365 bench, 520 deadlift, 1,515 total), Juan Saenz, 165 pounds (635 squat, 405 bench, 590 deadlift, 1,630 total), Allan Benaivdes, 220 pounds (800 squat, 465 bench, 600 deadlift, 1,865 total) and Dante Ramones, 275 pounds (855 squat, 570 bench, 700 deadlift, 2,125 total). North’s Maximiliano Zepeda finished second at 308 pounds (1,955 total) and Devin Aguilar took third at 181 pounds (1,555 total).
Edinburg Vela finished second as a team in Division I with a pair of state champions in Justin Chapa and Marco Diaz and a fourth-place finish from John Vasquez. Chapa won gold at 114 pounds with a 470 squat, 255 bench and 500 deadlift for a 1,225 total. Diaz claimed first at super heavyweight with a 1,905 total — 735 squat, 615 bench and 555 deadlift.
Hidalgo took third in Division II with 19 team points with four lifters posting podium finishes — Dorian Ramirez (State champ, 123 pound weight class), Leonardo Ruiz (second place, 114 pounds), Juventino Guerrero (second place, 132 pounds) and Ruben Campos (fourth place, 181 pounds).
La Villa won third place in Division IV with 12 combined points from 198-pound champion Josue Aguilera (1,475 total) and second place at 308 pounds with Jaime Elissetche (1,770 total).
A complete list of top five finishers at the THSPA State Championships from the Rio Grande Valley can be found at RGVSports.com.
2023 THSPA STATE CHAMPIONS
Division I
114-pound weight class – Justin Chapa, Edinburg Vela (470 squat, 255 bench, 500 deadlift, 1,225 total).
123 pounds – Deondre Moody, Donna North (525 squat, 315 bench, 435 deadlift, 1,275 total).
132 pounds – Logan Maldonado, Weslaco East (550 squat, 335 bench, 480 deadlift, 1,365 total).
148 pounds – Christian Gomez, Edinburg North (630 squat, 365 bench, 520 deadlift, 1,515 total).
165 pounds – Juan Saenz, Edinburg North (635 squat, 405 bench, 590 deadlift, 1,630).
220 pounds – Allan Benavides, Edinburg North (800 squat, 465 bench, 600 deadlift, 1,865 total).
242 pounds – Ryan Creasy, McAllen Rowe (650 squat, 500 bench, 655 deadlift, 1,805 total).
275 pounds – Dante Ramones, Edinburg North (855 squat, 570 bench, 700 deadlift, 2,125 total).
Super heavyweight – Marco Diaz, Edinburg Vela (735 squat, 615 bench, 555 deadlift, 1,905 total).
Division II
123 pounds – Dorian Ramirez, Hidalgo (480 squat, 300 bench, 400 deadlift, 1,180 total).
Division III
114 pounds – Fabian Solis, Edinburg IDEA (470 squat, 300 bench, 420 deadlift, 1,190 total).
Division IV
198 pounds – Josue Aguilera, La Villa (545 squat, 335 bench, 595 deadlift, 1,475 total).