SUNDOWN – Sundown High School hosted the Region I Div. 3, boys Texas High School Powerlifting Association meet on March 11, bringing some of the best lifters in the state under one roof.
After weighing in on Friday, lifters took the night to gather their thoughts and mentally prepare for the big show the next day. Athletes were looking for their best performances of the year hoping to punch their ticket to the state meet in Abilene in two weeks.
Stanton’s Ashton Smith was one of the favorites in the 242 lbs class.
He would finish the day with some massive lifts to claim the Region I gold medal with a total of 1590 lbs. He squatted 660, benched 380, and pulled 550. His squat and total lifts are Region I Div. II meet records.
In the 275 lbs class, Roger Martinez finished eighth. He squatted 565, benched 310, dead lifted 400 for a total weight of 1275 lbs.
All three were personal bests.
In the 308 lbs class, Payden Alberts took fifth with a squat of 510, bench of 305, dead lift of 460, for a total of 1275 lbs. He was in 9th when he started deadlift and pulled a personal best on his last lift to pass four lifters and earn a 5th place medal. Smith will compete at the THSPA boys’ state meet at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene on Mar. 27.
He is favored to win a medal at the state meet in the 242 lbs class as his total sits fourth in the 61 man field.