MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
RIO HONDO — After the Rio Hondo boys won the Texas High School Powerlifting Association state meet in Abilene, they joined the girls’ team in a historic sweep.
The victory brought Rio Hondo athletics its first team state championships and was the powerlifting program’s defining moment after chasing those elusive state titles.
“Our program has gotten bigger and better over the years,” said head coach Victor Sauceda. “Both teams winning the same year, it’s a big surprise. As far as I know, that feat has never been accomplished. It’s extraordinary and I’m super happy for them. It just goes to show all the hard work they put in this year.”
It’s been one week, but the excitement and sense of accomplishment was clearly visible on the athletes’ faces on Friday, and for good reason.
On the girls’ side, the two-person team of senior Monica Gallegos and sophomore Andrea Ramirez overcame bigger teams to capture the title.
Ramirez won the 148-pound class with a total weight of 935 pounds, while Gallegos placed second in the 220-plus class with a total of 1,060 pounds for a total of 11 points and a co-state championship back on March 19. They tied with Beeville Jones.
Oddly enough, Gallegos and Ramirez were partners throughout the year, making the fact that they were the last team standing all the more meaningful, especially considering all the obstacles the duo overcome outside of the weight room.
“Andrea pushed me and I pushed her,” Gallegos said. “We’re a team and that makes it all the more special. I struggled with grades also early on, but I got on top of it because it’s my senior year.
“I got second and there was a knot in my throat because I was only five pounds away and I could have lifted more. Afterward, I realized I enjoyed the season and it was worth it.”
Meanwhile, Ramirez dedicated the victory to past Rio Hondo powerlifting teams that failed to hoist the coveted title.
“It was a blessing to win because there were many girls in the past who made it to state but never could make the statement we did,” she said. “It’s just amazing to represent your city after working hard and staying humble. To be able to do it with Monica (Gallegos) was a blessing. It helped knowing a senior had a sophomore’s back — she helped a lot.”
For the boys, it was a year of redemption after coming up two points short of the 2015 title.
This year, the team made up of Abram Ramirez (198 pounds), Alan Alfaro (148), Heliseo Guerrero (148), Isaiah Heredia (220) and Julian Flores (165) scored 22 points, edging out second-place Taylor by four points).
“Throughout the year, we lived a very standard and focused existence,” Ramirez said. “We were driven after falling short last year, but we had a lot of support from our families and the community. Winning was pure ecstasy and there was so much happiness from everyone.”
Leading the way were gold medals from Ramirez and Guerrero.
Guerrero lifted a total of 1,365 pounds to win the 148-pound class, while Ramirez won the 198-pound weight class lifting a total of 1,625 pounds. He also broke the state bench press record with a lift of 450 pounds.
Ramirez hopes that future teams will model their work ethic after this year’s squad.
“Future teams need to not get caught up in distractions throughout the year,” he said. “They need to focus on themselves and don’t get caught up so that they can succeed.”