The powerlifting team competed in a district meet on Wednesday, Jan. 10, finishing second overall following Central high school.
The competition was close among Central and Timber Creek, as they pulled away from Keller and Fossil Ridge by large margins. The team had a fantastic showing but came up short, placing second behind Central by a narrow one point difference.
“The lifters did a great job competing considering that many of them have never been to a powerlifting meet. We battled through some nerves and missed lifts, but they gained valuable experience that will only help each and every one improve for the next competition. At the end of the meet, we were just two points away from winning it,” said Timber Creek powerlifting coach Dusty Ortiz. “Looking towards the next meet, I believe our kids will only improve and their lifting totals will jump up even more which will lead to a team victory. “
Powerlifting is sport that requires much strength and endurance. The athletes are expected to lift in three divisions; deadlift, squat, and the bench press. They are given three attempts to lift each weight at competitions. By using a Wilks Coefficient, or Wilks Score, lifters can be compared to others to determine the amount of points they earn.
“In powerlifting, it is not so much a team sport, it is more of an individual sport. Each lifter competes against other lifters in the same weight class which range from 114lbs to 300+lbs,” said Ortiz. “We had a few individuals who are setting in the regional top 10 which would allow them to qualify form the regional meet. We also have a few that are on the outside looking in. I believe the lifters are highly motivated not only to win their weight class in the next meet, but to also break into the regional top 10.”
In every competition the participant must be weighed in order to figure out what weight class they are in. From there, they begin to compete in their events in which the power lifters have the oppertunity to reach their maximum weight for the day. The judges then record the best score of out the three.
Peyton Reed, the highest scoring lifter for Timber Creek at the district meet, competed and finished with a total score of 935. Meanwhile, some of the other team members suffered what is known as a bomb out in powerlifting. It is equivalent to attempting a lift three individual times and failing each one.
The sport requires intense training including lifting weights and reaching the body’s boundaries. It is a individual sport that entails strength of both body and mind. All of these were tested at the district meet and will continue to be tested throughout their season.
