(Courtesy photo/Hector Avila)
By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
ABILENE, TEXAS—San Benito High School (SBHS) senior Ryan Lugo’s two-year tenure as a Greyhound powerlifter ended with him earning a bronze medal at the state meet last weekend.
The distinction of being one of the state’s best athletes came at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association’s State Championships at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.
He described his duration with the SBHS powerlifting program as a “short time” but made the most of the opportunity because of the culture that surrounds the sport locally.
Lugo, in his first year in the sport, didn’t qualify for Regionals, but in his next and only opportunity he had at SBHS, placed second.
“It feels amazing that I was able to place considering I’ve been in powerlifting for such a short time,” Lugo said. “My coaches helped me out by giving me an amazing workout program and some of the best training possible. My teammates pushed and motivated me throughout the entire season because they knew of the potential I had.”
He wasn’t alone when he traveled hundreds of miles north. San Benito Head Coach Mario Marmolejo and Assistant Coach Raul Maraboto, Jr. were alongside him.
Powerlifting teammate Angel Trevino rooted him on and also competed.
Trevino was a regional silver medalist, and holds the record in the bench press light platform in the 132-pound weight class.
As for Lugo, he competed in the 114-pound weight class at state. He had nine total lifts and three attempts per squat, bench, and deadlift.
Lugo’s best squat was 395 lbs. His best deadlift was 380 lbs. And his best bench was 275 lbs.
The marks earned him third place, with a combined 1,050 lbs.
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