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GIDDINGS — The Elgin High School and Smithville High School boys and girls varsity powerlifting teams opened their 2024 season Saturday, Jan. 6 at the Giddings Invitational meet with athletes competing in squat, bench press and deadlift.
ELGIN LADY WILDCATS
Following a 5A-2 regional championship and state runner-up finish in 2023, the Lady Wildcats started with a strong showing in the opening meet as Elgin had five girls take home gold medals and another five with silver.
First-place finishers for the Lady Wildcats were Elizabeth Nunez in the 114-pound class with 815 total pounds lifted, Mariah Yanez in the 123-pound class with 845, Jordin Seeger in the 148-pound class with 810, Jaliyah Price with 715 and defending individual state champion Nya Kirk Jones win the 242-and-above class with 1,215 total pounds lifted.
ELGIN WILDCATS
Elgin boys powerlifting had two lifters place first and another finish as the runner-up. Miguel Nunez took home gold in the 181-pound class with 1,365 total pounds lifted, Melanio Perez also placed first in the 198-pound class at 1,445 and Chance Postell was a silver medalist for the Wildcats in the 181-pound class at 1,335.
SMITHVILLE TIGERS
Smithville had a strong performance as the top boys team as three Tigers placed first and three more were runner-up. Gold medalists for the Tigers included Gilberto Jaimes in the 132-pound class with 755 total pounds lifted, Chris Borja in the 220-pound class with 1,295 and Caden Stockdale in the 242-pound class with 1,440 total.
SMITHVILLE LADY TIGERS
The Lady Tigers had a solid showing in Giddings in the opening meet as Smithville had three girls place second in their respective weight classes. Blythe Edwards took home silver in the 97-pound class with 275 total pounds lifted, Shantel Harlow in the 114-pound class with 540 and Ayla Ramos in the 242-pound class with 465.
Both Elgin and Smithville will next compete Saturday, Jan. 13 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Taylor Duck Invitational. Girls lifters will be at Taylor High School and the boys will head to Taylor Middle School.
