By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial has three representatives, seniors Erick Vasquez and Jesse Guzman and junior Jimmy DeLeon, who will compete at the 2015 Texas High School Powerlifting Association state meet Saturday at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.
“This is the second year in a row (going to state),” Brownsville Veterans coach Gilbert Meyers said. “My job is easier because of the type of kids we have. They’re self-motivated and go-getters. It’s a mentality to try to increase each week and try to do more weight. I think these guys want to see how far they can take it.”
But it hasn’t been easy for the Chargers this season.
Guzman, who returns to state for a second consecutive year, broke his fibula midway through football season. Vasquez has a pinched nerve in his back that may be a herniated disk. DeLeon struggled early on during his first year in powerlifting.
Meyers is proud of what each has done this year, but Guzman in particular.
“Especially Jesse after making it last year, he really wanted to make it again,” he said. “Then he broke his leg. So it’s impressive for him, he couldn’t even lift during the first meet.”
Guzman said it was important to him to get back to state, especially since he qualified last season. But he didn’t expect to get injured either. The senior had to have three screws and two plates to help health the injured bone.
“I didn’t want to make it my junior year and miss out my senior year,” he said. “I wasn’t cleared until Jan. 20 (powerlifting meets start in early December). I have to thank God. I just prayed and I would come here and work out with Coach Meyers.”
Guzman, in the 275-weight class, qualified with a total weight of 1,560 pounds (625 squat, 375 bench, 560 deadlift).
For DeLeon, it wasn’t easy at first. The junior wasn’t confident and had a total around 1,300 when he started the season. He actually didn’t want to join the team initially until Meyers finally convinced him otherwise.
Now DeLeon has increased his total more than 300 pounds.
“State wasn’t even a goal,” he said. “I just thought I would try it out, and I kept on working at it and made it. It feels great, all the hard work I’m doing in the weight room has paid off.”
DeLeon qualified with a total weight of 1,665 for the super heavyweight class. (750-365-550).
Vasquez will find out today if he will be able to compete Saturday. The senior is scheduled for an MRI and will know the results later today.
The second-year powerlifter missed state by about 100 pounds last year. He set his goal to get to state this season soon after the regional meet last year.
“It feels great,” Vasquez said of earning his spot at state. “All the hard work paid off.”
Vasquez said if the diagnosis were a herniated disk, the risk would be too great because it could break and that would require surgery. But if the news is more positive, he will be competing for the final time.
Vasquez is in the 198 class with a total of 1,400. (515-330-555).
Each has set a goal of a top-three finish at the meet, but DeLeon has some numbers in mind, too. An 800 squat, a bench of at least 400 and a deadlift of 600, that would be a total of 1,800, or 140 pounds better than his regional qualify weights.
Guzman is confident he has healed thoroughly.
“I first thought just making it back would be an accomplishment,” he said. “Now I’m pushing to get top three or five. I wanted to compete for first place this year, but I got hurt.”
Regardless of their finishes, Meyers is proud of his guys and the program they represent.
“I’m extremely proud,” he said. “I’m more excited for them because it shows we’re going in the right direction.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.