SETTING STATE STANDARD

Meridian Lady Jacket Ramirez grabs fourth place in state at THSWPA’s first “unequipped” event; three Meridian boys compete at THSPA Div. 4 Region 2 Championships

Making history by participating in a first-ever event, Meridian’s Raechel Ramirez made the most opportunity by earning a trip to the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association’s “Unequipped” State Championship last Thursday at the Comerica Center in Frisco.

But once there, Ramirez was not done yet as she claimed the fourth place medal in the 165-pound weight class with a total weight of 715 pounds, powering her way to a 285-pound squat, throwing up a 120-pound bench press, and fighting her way to a 310-pound deadlift.

“As well as being one of the first unequipped state medalist, history was made, and we could not be more proud,” Meridian powerlifting head coach Chaz Spivey said. “Raechel did an amazing job and has worked extremely hard to get this accomplishment. Many days have been committed to powerlifting, and her dedication shows. We are more than proud of her.”

Competing in the THSWPA’s new “unequipped” category, Ramirez won the gold medal in the 165-pound weight class at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association’s Region 2 Unequipped Championships March 3 in Bosqueville. By putting up a total weight of 700 pounds to surpass runner-up and state qualifier Raquel Oziran of Liberty Hill with 670 pounds, Ramirez topped the 165-pound class with a 275-pound squat and 315-pound dead lift while bench pressing 110 pounds.

“Bosqueville ran an amazing meet,” Spivey said. “It is a brand-new way to lift within THSWPA. All it entails is that the girls lift without the use of a bench top, squat suit or wraps. It is a true “raw” lift. This makes rising in ranks fairly difficult without assistance.”

For the Meridian boys, Cesar Ramos, Zach Smith and John Wyatt qualified to compete at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association’s Division 4 Region 2 Championships March 9 in West. Ramos placed eighth followed by Smith in ninth in the 114-pound weight class, while Wyatt finished in ninth place in the 198-pound weight class.

Meet after meet, the Meridian boys and girls powerlifting teams improved throughout the season by repeatedly setting new personal records.

“We are extremely proud of these young men and their amazing season,” Spivey said. “The group I have this year is absolutely amazing. We came in with some veterans that knew the field and functioned very well. We also came in with many that had not been in powerlifting at all. And yet, they managed to progress in the weight room tremendously. I could not have truly predicted how much growth we would see this year across the board. “