EDINBURG — Weslaco High senior Sergio Lerma is prepared to make his third appearance at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association state championships this weekend in Abilene.
As a sophomore, Lerma was crowned state champ in the 181-pound weight class. He fell just shy of repeating in 2022 with a second-place finish at state.
Now, Lerma enters his final THSPA state meet at the top-ranked lifter in his weight class and has his sights set on winning a second state championship in three years.
“All I want is to not leave any weight off the bar. This is my last year, I have to give it all I got, everything in my body,” he said. “I’ve been doing this since seventh grade, so I have to give it everything I have.”
Lerma and the top high school powerlifters from across the state are set to compete at the state championships today and Saturday at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. Division II and III compete at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Division I and IV are scheduled to lift at 8 a.m. Saturday.
| Weslaco’s Sergio Lerma during a RegionV Boys THSPA Powerlifting meet at Edinburg High school gymnasium Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez |
The Weslaco senior is coming off a standout performance at the THSPA Region V Division I meet, where he lifted a total of 1,735 pounds — 675 on squat, 385 on bench and 675 on deadlift.
“Powerlifting is like a roller coaster. I think it’s really taught me to focus and stay locked in and chase your goals,” Lerma said. “Life is just like powerlifting — there’s ups and downs, you have bad days, good days, and I just love the sport.”
He’s one of 10 Rio Grande Valley powerlifters who enter the state meet as the top-ranked lifter in their respective weight class and division — Justin Chapa, Edinburg Vela, 114-pound weight class (465 squat, 255 bench, 475 deadlift, 1,195 total); Deondre Moody, Donna North, 123-pound weight class (545 squat, 315 bench, 430 deadlift, 1,290 total); Logan Maldonado, Weslaco East, 132-pound weight class (535 squat, 315 bench, 475 deadlift, 1,325 total); Juan Saenz, Edinburg North, 165-pound weight class (635 squat, 415 bench, 610 deadlift, 1,660 total); Allan Benavides, Edinburg North, 220-pound weight class (775 squat, 460 bench, 625 deadlift, 1,860 total); Ryan Creasy, McAllen Rowe, 242-pound weight class (585 squat, 525 bench, 650 deadlift, 1,860 total); Dante Ramones, Edinburg North, 275-pound weight class (805 squat, 550 bench, 700 deadlift, 2,055 total); Fabian Solis, Edinburg IDEA, 114-pound weight class, Division III (465 squat, 285 bench, 405 deadlift, 1,155 total); Jamie Elissetche, La Villa, 308-pound weight class, Division IV (715 squat, 445 bench, 580 deadlift, 1,740 total).
Edinburg Vela senior Justin Chapa draws motivation from his freshman year, when he was ranked outside the top 30 lifters in the 114-pound weight class. Now, Chapa is ranked No. 1 in the state at 114 pounds with a 1,195-pound total — 465 squat, 255 bench and 475 deadlift.
| Edinburg Vela’s Justin Chapa during a RegionV Boys THSPA Powerlifting meet at Edinburg High school gymnasium Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez |
“I’m really thankful because I remember my freshman year I was ranked No. 33. I was devastated by that,” he said. “Now, my senior year, it feels completely amazing. I’m very proud, and it’s an amazing feeling. I have no doubts in myself. There’s no worry, there’s no stress — I’m happy about this.”
Donna North’s Louie Cavazos won gold in the 123-pound weight class in 2022. With Cavazos graduating last year, Donna North’s Deondre Moody has stepped in at 123 pounds and has taken over the weight class.
The junior posted a 1,290 total in the regional meet with a 545 squat, 315 bench and 430 deadlift to lead all lifters in his weight class. He hopes to give Donna North its second straight state champion at 123 pounds.
“We’re really strong in lightweights,” Moody said. “I looked up to Louie and followed his path. I can’t let that 123-pound title get taken away until I’m gone. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and not back down.”
| Donna North’s Deondre Moody during a RegionV Boys THSPA Powerlifting meet at Edinburg High school gymnasium Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez |
A complete list of THSPA state qualifiers can be found at RGVSports.com.