By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
One dozen members of the Los Fresnos girls powerlifting team will be among several others in the Metro area competing at the 2015 Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association state meet, which begins today and continues Saturday at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi.
Alle Elizondo, who won a state title last year in the 114-pound weight class, returns after winning a regional title this year. She won with a total of 810 pounds, 325 in the squat, a 165 bench and 320 in the deadlift. Teresita Silva also returns to the state meet after winning a regional title in the 198 class. Her total weight was 995 pounds with a 400 squat, 225 bench and a 370 deadlift. She posted a runner-up finish last year at state.
“I got second in state, and I knew I had to work harder this year,” Silva said. “This last summer I started training, making sure I could do everything I could to make sure I got first (place). Hopefully if everything goes as planned, I’ll get first (place).”
Byanka Arreola (123 class) and Julie Torres (165 class) also return to state after finishing fifth and seventh, respectively, for the Lady Falcons last year. Arreola qualified this season with a total of 780 (325 squat, 135 bench, 320 deadlift). Torres qualified with 880 (340, 175, 365).
They will be joined by Ally Highful (97-pound weight class; 235, 85, 200—520 total), Sophie Avila (105; 275, 125, 310—710), Joanna Philo (114; 245, 105, 260—610), Lorena Martinez (132; 315, 125, 325—765), Rose Villarreal (148; 320, 185, 320—825), Julissa Torres (148; 330, 175, 310—815), Stephanie Trevino (165; 310, 165, 305—780) and Jased Castros (181; 360, 200, 335—895).
“It feels great to continue our success,” said Los Fresnos coach Mike Evans, who took over for Forrest Holt. “Our numbers went up a lot. We had so many girls, we had to turn some away. It’s a good problem to have.”
The powerlifters from Class 4A and 5A will compete today and Class 1A, 2A and 6A will compete Saturday. Also competing from the Metro area are Jocelyn Padilla of Port Isabel, Alexandra Chavez of Hanna, Sarah Moraida, Jackie Cano and Vanessa Rivera of Pace, Andrea Botello of Lopez, and Mary Ann Gonzalez and Natasha Lopez of Porter.
Los Fresnos has had a program since the mid-1990s. Powerlifting continues to grow, especially for female participants.
“This place has a lot of tradition. It’s part of the culture. You’re expected to be strong and push yourself,” Evans said. “I think the fitness culture is getting bigger. You can be a first-year lifter, and if you have some ability you can go to state. That’s enticing.”
Elizondo, Silva, Villarreal and Arreola are seniors on the Lady Falcons’ squad. Each would like to help continue the success that the program has traditionally had.
“It’s not only about tradition, it’s more about sisterhood,” Villarreal said of the bond she shares with her teammates. “We all get together, and we motivate each other as a group. Every time we come in (the weight room), there’s a vibe that everybody wants to carry on and keep getting better.”
Despite recovering from a back injury a few months ago, Villarreal has still been able to increase her total weight 315 pounds during her second season (an increase from 510 to 825) with the help from her coaches and her father, a powerlifting coach in Kingsville.
“I used to be a cheerleader before this, so I didn’t know anything,” she said. “I never placed last year, I was upset about it. It got me pumped last year when I didn’t make it to regionals. I was five pounds away, so I was really determined to go after it (this year).”
Winning a state title would be a special moment for any of the Lady Falcons, but Silva has an even more personal motivation this year.
“It would mean the world to me, especially after last year losing by 15 pounds,” she said. “But I promised myself the one person I was going to do it for was my grandpa (who recently died of cancer). He was a father figure for me, and I miss him a lot. Each meet I make sure I do my best for him.
“That’s what keeps me going.”
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.