By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
The PIECHS girls powerlifting team recently competed in the La Feria Lionette LGQ Invitational. The grueling girls’ qualifying meet featured 111 lifters from among 12 competing schools.
The PI team had one of their best performances to date as they set several new personal bests in regards to total lifts, helping them earn a second-place finish in the overall team standings. The top five order of finish were, La Feria 38 points, Port Isabel 34, Lyford 26, Rio Hondo 26 and Hidalgo 25.
Competing in the 105-wt class, Emily Orduna finished in third place with a total lift of 640lbs. In the same division, Leann Shamlin finished in ninth place with a total lift of 465lbs, a personal best (PB).
In the 114-wt class, Natalissa Arambul came in eighth place with a total lift of 545lbs (PB).
In the 123-wt class, Maria Ale Vasquez won gold with a total lift of 830lbs and is currently ranked 3rd in the region. Isabella Betancourt finished just behind Vasquez, capturing the silver medal with a total lift of 810lbs (PB).
In the 148-wt class, Daniela Alonso won gold with a total lift of 870lbs (PB) and now holds the #5 regional ranking.
In the 181-wt class, Dariadna Garcia won silver with a total lift of 800lbs (PB).
In the 242-wt class, Iyairy Guzman won gold with a total lift of 995lbs and currently holds the #3 regional rank.
Brigette Albino Cortez, Saturn Trejo, and Nataly Olmedo did not compete in the meet, but will be advancing to Regionals by meeting a certain total lift threshold during the season. In fact, all 11 girls on the PI team advanced to the THSWPA Region 5 Division II Regional Powerlifting Championships.
PI powerlifting head coach, John Calvillo was pleased with the girls performance, but let the team know it was just the beginning. “You have a chance to make history for school and the community and it starts next Tuesday at Regionals.” Said coach Calvillo.
Meanwhile in the boys’ division, PIECHS will be hosting the Port Isabel LBQ Last Boys Qualifier Powerlifting Meet this Saturday, February 28 with lifting starting at 9am.