By BRIAN ARGABRIGHT
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s newest sports team is already making a splash, or in this case a smash.
Del Rio Raw Power competed at Fort Stockton’s Panther and Prowler Raw Power Classic Jan. 17. According to head coach David Gomez, Raw Power is often referred to as “unequipped raw lifting,” meaning competitors lift with only their singlet, a belt and knee sleeves. The suits often seen at powerlifting meets are not allowed.
“The girls added it two years ago, but for the boys this is the first year,” Gomez said.
Competitors still have to lift in three disciplines including the squat, the bench press and the deadlift. The combined weight of those three successful lifts determines where the athlete will finish in their weight class.
Del Rio’s lifters showed out as the boys team finished first in the varsity division while the girls finished fourth.
Four of Del Rio’s boys finished first in their respective weight classes.
Ricky De La Cruz was first in the 132-pound weight class with a total weight lifted of 745 pounds.
Nick LaMountain was first in the 181-pound weight class with 1,165 pounds lifted.
Luis Rodriguez was first in the 198-pound weight class after totaling 1,125 pounds in his lifts.
Luke Miner rounded out the first place finishers by taking the top spot in the 242-pound weight class with 1,205 pounds lifted total.
Marcos Rodriguez and Jaden Ortiz were second in their respective divisions. Rodriguez took second in the 132-pound weight class with 720 pounds, and Ortiz was second in the 198-pound weight class with 1,010 pounds.
Eric Gutierrez was third in the 148-pound weight class with 775 pounds lifted. Fernando Perez took third in the 242-pound weight class with 1,065 pounds. Angel Vasquez was also third, grabbing the number three spot in the 308-pound weight class with 655 pounds total.
Damian Guerrero took fourth in the 275-pound weight class with a total weight of 1,150 pounds.
Michael Alvarez was fifth in the 165-pound weight class with 720 pounds lifted.
GIRLS VARSITY
Del Rio’s girls team featured a pair of first place lifters.
Carolina Arredondo was first in the 114-pound weight class after lifting a total weight of 490 pounds.
Also finishing first was Leijla Lomas after she took first in the 132-pound weight class with a total of 555 pounds.
Lourdes Lopez was third in the 132-pound weight class with a total weight of 500 pounds.
Zoelet Moran was fourth in the 97-pound weight class after a total weight of 325 pounds.
Jannali Meza was fourth in the 114-pound weight class with 380 pounds lifted.
Olivia Taylor was fifth in the 132-pound weight class with a total weight of 480 pounds.
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Contact the author at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
