By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
On Thursday, February 5, the Port Isabel ECHS powerlifting teams travel to Rio Hondo to compete in the Rio Hondo Bobcats Invitational.
The girls division saw 103 lifters competing from 10 programs. It was a diverse mix of teams such as La Feria, Hidalgo, Santa Rosa, Pharr Valley View and PSJA North.
Although her total lift was down by 15lbs, Saturn Trejo’s 1000lb total lift was still enough for her to snag the 165-wt class title. The returning state champion has now claimed four titles, in the four meets she has competed in this season. She still maintains her #2 ranking in the region.
Joining Trejo atop the podium this week was Iyairy Guzman, who secured her first title in the 242-wt class with a total lift of 1030lbs, a new personal best. She is now ranked #2 in the region.
Competing in the 181-wt class, Dariadna Garcia won her first silver medal of the season with a total lift of 800lbs. Not only did she set a new personal best, but she was this week’s most improved female lifter by increasing her total lift by 90lbs.
Claiming the bronze this week were lifters, Isabella Betancourt (123wt, total wt:740) and Daniel Alonso (148wt, total lift:820), adding some crucial team points.
Competing in the 114-wt class, Natalissa Arambul finished in 11th place with a total lift of 530lbs.
Although the girls’ team had four lifters that “bombed out” or were “scratched”, it still managed to finish in third place in the team standings behind La Feria and Rio Hondo.
Meanwhile the boy’s division saw 111 lifters compete from the same group of schools.
Unfortunately, the PIECHS boys’ team had a pair of scratches and lifters that “bombed out”, but the four lifters that did manage to post total lifts earned gold or silver medals, landing the team in fourth place in the team standings.
Winning the gold medal were seniors, Arnold Lopez and Joe Perez. Lopez who “BO” in his last meet, won the 123-wt class with a total lift of 1120lbs, setting a new personal best. He also is currently ranked #2 in the region. Perez who competes in the 198-wt class, secured his first gold medal of the season with a total lift of 1470lbs and is currently ranked #3.
Meanwhile, newcomer Perez (181-wt class) continues his impressive streak, picking up his third medal in as many meets, this time a silver medal. He set a new personal best with a total lift of 1500lbs. Competing in the 198-wt class, Jesus Hill Jr won silver with a total lift of 1335lbs. Hill Jr has been showing steady improvements meet after meet, and has now increased his total lift by 220lbs from the opening meet of the season.
