A weight off their shoulders
L-E, THS powerlifters place at state meet
TEXARKANA, Texas — The Texas High and Liberty-Eylau had two athletes place Friday in the University Interscholastic League state girls powerlifting meet in Corpus Christi.
Liberty-Eylau’s Indiyah Aldridge placed second in the Class 4A powerlifting meet.
Aldridge benched 150 pounds, squatted 230 pounds and deadlifted 265 pounds, for a total of 645 pounds.
“It feels good to see all of her hard work paying off,” Liberty-Eylau head powerlifting coach Brandon Rollins said. “She’s been a leader for us the past few years. She pushes herself really hard. We try to work when everyone is sleeping.
“Since we’ve come back, I’ve had a few girls come up to me asking to join the powerlifting team next year. There was a time during the state meet where Indiyah could’ve quit, but she battled back and was able to fight through everything. She’s just so mentally strong and it showed.”
Texas High’s Mariza “Pi” Paez competed in the Class 5A, Division II state powerlifting meet. Paez competed in the 220-pound weight class and placed fifth with a total weight of 835 pounds.
Paez squated 375 pounds, benched 170 pounds and deadlifted 290 pounds.
“I am extremely proud of her for placing fifth at the state championship meet,” Texas High powerlifting coach Jeremy Harrell said. “Mariza ‘Pi’ Paez is what we as coaches strive for our athletes to be at Texas High. She always gives 110% on everything she does.
“Her hard work and dedication throughout this powerlifting season has set the bar high for what we expect from our student athletes at Texas High.”