By Pete Vasquez
Pvasquez@cherryroad.com
The atmosphere was electric at the state powerlifting meet inside the Taylor County Expo Center as the top teams from across the state gathered to showcase their strength, grit, and determination. Among the sea of athletes, were the Class 5A Alice high school powerlifting team.
Their journey to the state meet marked a year of growth, determination, and personal achievements. The athletes, some of whom were competing at this level for the first time, had spent months training, refining their techniques, and pushing their limits.
The team’s finish at the state meet was 35th out of 163 teams. The Coyotes also had 11 personal record lifts with all totals increasing.
Here are the results from the Boys State Powerlifting Meet:
Jonathan Ruvalcava, 123 weight class- Disqualified
Marc Macias, 165 weight class (610 squat, 360 bench, 515 deadlift) earned a 9th place finish.
Roel Gonzalez III, 165 weight class (560 squat, 355 bench, 500 deadlift) placed 14th.
Orlando Cantu, 198 weight class (640 squat, 435 bench, 600 deadlift) captured an 8th place finish.
Ramiro Cantu, 242 weight class (750 squat, 500 bench, 585 deadlift) won bronze. A 3rd place Medal finish.
The state meet saw fierce competition, with powerlifters from across the state showcasing their skills in the squat, bench press, and deadlift events.
The big show was a testament to their growth as individuals and as a team. The experience of competing at state—feeling the pressure, the excitement, and the camaraderie—was invaluable for the athletes, especially the younger lifters who will be returning next season.
For the team’s underclassmen, this year’s state meet was just the beginning. The growth they showed this season, coupled with the lessons they learned from the competition, set the stage for future success.
The journey to the state meet may be over this year for these Alice Coyotes, but for this young powerlifting team, the next chapter is already being written, with bigger goals and a clearer vision for the future.
