By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
There are some changes for this year’s Del Rio High School powerlifting team, but the team’s members continue to find ways to succeed.
The team kicked off its 2024 season at the East Central Invitational Jan. 20. The boys team finished second. Head coach David Gomez explained that this year the boys would compete in Region I while the girls would remain in Region V. He said the change would take some getting used to, especially considering it pits Del Rio against schools they aren’t familiar with, but he also added that the new region could give his lifters a better chance at qualifying for regionals and eventually for the state meet.
George Avalos was one of the stars for Del Rio’s boys. He took first in the 242-pound weight class with a total weight lifted of 1,535 pounds including a 585-pound squat, a 350-pound bench press and a deadlift of 600 pounds, a new school record.
Also taking first in their weight class was Joaquinn Fuentes, who was tops in the 308-pound division. His 1,490 total pounds lifted included a squat of 615 pounds, a bench press of 330 pounds and a deadlift of 545 pounds.
Overall, 10 Rams placed in the top five in their weight classes. The group included Tadeo Talavera, who was second in the 123-pound division with a total weight lifted of 910 pounds; Jorge Herrera, who was second in the 165-pound division with a total weight lifted of 1,330 pounds; Domingo Sanchez, who was second in the 198-pound division with a total weight lifted of 1,295 pounds; Luis Rodriguez, who was third in the 181-pound division with a total weight lifted of 1,265 pounds; Caleb Rodriguez, who was third in the 220-pound division with a total weight lifted of 1,425 pounds; Moses Fernandez, who was fourth in the 181-pound division with a total weight lifted of 1,255 pounds; Tristan Coronado, who was fifth in the 165-pound division with a total weight lifted of 1,160 pounds; and Joe Meza, who was fifth in the Super Heavyweight class with a total weight lifted of 1,265 pounds.
This past weekend the team was in Uvalde for the Uvalde Strong Invitational. All but three of Del Rio’s lifters placed in the top five in their respective divisions. Del Rio finished second as a team behind host Uvalde.
Earning first place was Herrera as he took the top spot in the 165-pound division with a total weight of 1,345 pounds including a 555-pound squat, a 315-pound bench press and a 475-pound deadlift.
Also taking first was Luis Rodriguez. He was first in the 181-pound division with a total of 1,325 pounds including a 520-pound squat, a 320-pound bench press and a 485-pound deadlift.
Caleb Rodriguez took first in the 220-pound division with 1,470 pounds. He had a 600-pound squat, a 385-pound bench press and a 485-pound deadlift.
Avalos captured his second first place of the season in the 242-pound division. He had a 600-pound squat, a 335-pound bench press and again hit 600 pounds on the deadlift for a total weight of 1,535 pounds, tops among all Del Rio lifters.
Rounding out Del Rio’s top lifters was Fuentes who was first in the 308-pound division. His 1,530 total included a 620-pound squat, a 350-pound bench press and a 560-pound deadlift.
Also placing for Del Rio was Meza, who was second in the Super Heavyweight division with a 1,370 pounds; Fernandez, who was third in the 181-pound division with 1,305 pounds; Sanchez, who was third in the 198-pound division with 1,330 pounds; and Frankie Guzman who was fourth in the 148-pound division with 995 pounds.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
