By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Los Fresnos hopes to continue its recent powerlifting success.
The girls squad took the team title and five individual titles last week. Now five members of the boys team hope to add to the Falcons’ trophy case when they compete along side seven Metro-area athletes among others at the 2015 Texas High School Powerlifting Association state meet today at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene .
Eddie Olvera (114-weight class), Juan Rivera (123), Eliseo Garzoria (165), Fabian Rodriguez (181) and Aaron Zapata (198) all finished in the top three at the regional meet, with Rivera winning the regional title in his class. The Falcons were the regional runner-up, finishing a handful of points behind Weslaco East for the team title.
“They’ve been great. They’ve come along,” Los Fresnos coachMike Evans said. “We have some first-year lifters that have really come on strong. We started the year not real hot, but we started placing second towards the end and got second at the regional meet. They’ve gotten better, better and better.”
Olvera and Rodriguez are first-year powerlifters, while Rivera, Zapata and Garzoria are competing in their second season. Rivera is making his second straight trip to state after finishing third last year. The remaining four have all qualified for state for the first time.
Also competing from the Metro-area are Erick Vasquez, Jesse Guzman and Jimmy DeLeon of Brownsville Veterans Memorial, Alex Berrones, Rogelio Pulido and Danny Diaz of Lopez, and Eric Tong of Hanna.
The Falcons are dedicated and have pushed each other to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Olvera finished second at the regional meet with a total of 975 pounds (360 squat, 205 bench, 410 deadlift). He joined the team after he was convinced by Zapata but has progressed a lot over the season and now reaches the final meet.
“I’m excited,” he said. “This is my first year and to actually make it to state, but I made it and I’m pretty proud about that.”
Rodriguez was also second at the regional meet at 1,425 pounds (540-330-555). His teammates and the coaches are what drew him to the squad initially, and he has steadily improved all season.
“I just worked hard and do what I can to help my teammates,” he said. “I’ve gotten strong, and my technique has gotten better. I want to be at least top three.”
Zapata and Garzoria were third at the regional meet and set their goals to reach state this season after missing out last year.
Zapata qualified at 1,460 (600-320-540) and Garzoria had 1,320 (500-250-570).
“That was my goal, to make it to state, and now I’m there,” Zapata said. “I want to finish in thetop three.”
Garzoria also strived to make up for last year and wants to set a record in the process.
“I just worked harder to make it this year,” he said. “I want to break the deadlift record, it’s635 and I’m at 600. I don’t know about this year, but maybe next year.”
Rivera captured the regional title in his second year at 1,135 (425-250-460). He was 65 pounds better than second place and hopes to add a gold medal at state.
“My goal this year is to place first, I’m shooting for first,” he said. “I’ve improved a lot, my lifts have been going up. “
Rivera also is aiming for the 300 record in the bench press for his class.
“I’m right there,” he said.
Evans said the boys and girls squads are one team that work out and train together side by side.
“We’re all a part of the same team. They push each other, they challenge each other, so it’s nice,” Evans said. “Our goal is to place in the top three, and I think we have the team to do it. We just have to go out and compete, and they should be able to.”
After the success the girls achieved last week, they challenged the boys to match it.
“Now they want to win one, too,” Evans said.
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.