Breckenridge powerlifting teams shine at regional meets; Lady Bucks leave for state championship today
The Breckenridge High School girls powerlifting team left Breckenridge at 7 a.m. today, Wednesday, March 12, on their way to the state championship in Edinburg.
Three members of the BHS boys powerlifting team will compete in the boys state championship next week.
Both teams delivered impressive performances at their respective regional competitions, with both boys and girls teams showing their strength and determination.
The Lady Bucks dominated their regional meet at Bells High School on Feb. 28, capturing the Regional Team Championship title. The boys team came in fourth place at their regional meet and were just three points shy of first place team totals, Coach Jarrod Shepperd said.
Lady Bucks Powerlifting
The Lady Bucks powerlifting team came in first place at the regional meet in Bells, and eight girls qualified for the state championship, which takes places Thursday, March 13, in Edinburg. (Courtesy Photo)
The Lady Bucks sent 18 competitors to their regional meet – more than any other school in the region. They came in first place and were named the Regional Team Champions.
Eight BHS lifters qualified for the state competition, including four first-place finishers: Isabelle Biddison (total 655), Ashlyn Owen (total 645), Joni Jackson (total 910), and Maria Duran (total 895).
Second-place qualifiers include Cabel Perkins (total 805), Rihana Fuller (total 825), and Rylee Fuller (total 945). Sophia Lopez qualified for state after taking third place with a total of 630, achieving a 65-pound personal best.
Other strong performances came from Collom Perkins, who placed fourth with a total 610, a 35-pound personal best, and Bianca Gotschall, who secured fifth place with a total 675.
“Wish our … State Qualifiers luck in Edinburg as they travel to compete at the state level,” Shepperd said in a Facebook post. “Thank you to the Lady Bucks who competed at the regional meet. You represented your school and community well. You competed with grace and pride!”
The Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association’s State Championship will be March 12-15 at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas. The Breckenridge powerlifters will compete on Thursday, March 13, in the 3A-Large competition.
Boys Regional Competition
The Buckaroos powerlifting team competed at the regional meet in Decatur, coming in fourth place, just three points shy of first place. Three of the team members will compete at the state championship in Abilene next week. (Courtesy Photo)
“These young men fought tooth and nail to scrape together enough points to win,” Shepperd said of the boys’ performance at Decatur High School on March 4. Ultimately, they were three points short of the first place score and placed fourth overall.
Three BHS lifters qualified for the state competition: Lesavier Gutierrez (second place) with a total of 975 pounds; Jack McKay (second place), who added 50 pounds to his totals; and Nathan Roberts, who was crowned Regional Champion in the 181-pound weight class. Roberts delivered a perfect performance, going “9 for 9 on his lifts” and setting a new regional bench press record of 415 pounds, earning the Regional Meet’s Best Bench Press Award, Shepperd reported online. He added 30 pounds to his total.
Other notable performances at the regional meet included Trevin McAlmond, who added 30 pounds to his total; Crispen Pineda, who added 30 pounds to his best total; Eduardo Salazar, who added 30 pounds to his best total; and Erik Saucedo, who added 55 pounds to his total. Fabricio Davila made significant progress, moving from 10th place to sixth place and increasing his totals by 55 pounds.
Shepperd expressed pride in all his lifters: “These young men have shown serious grit throughout the season. I am very proud of this group. I want to thank the seniors for allowing me to be a part of their journey… I am excited for the young guys who have stepped up to give the Buckaroos a chance at another regional championship. Wish our three State Qualifiers the best of luck in Abilene. Lesavier Gutierrez, Jack McKay, and Nathan Roberts. Great job men. Go Bucks!!!”
The Texas High School Powerlifting Association’s State Championship will be March 21-22 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. The Breckenridge powerlifters will compete on March 21 in the Division 3 competition.
