THS senior wins at first powerlifting meet

Tucumcari boasted an individual champion in its first-ever powerlifting competition last week during a seven-team meet at Logan.

Nolan Ryen, a senior at THS, lifted a total of 1,095 pounds in the 275-pound boys weight class for the Rattlers’ lone individual title.

He lifted 440 pounds in the squat, 215 pounds in the bench press and 440 pounds in the dead lift.

“He did fantastic,” Tucumcari coach Matt Benavidez said, noting Ryen had lifted 350 pounds in the squat and 185 pounds in the bench press just weeks ago. “Compared to what he did at the beginning of the year is pretty amazing.”

Other competitors for Tucumcari were:

— Logan Lafferty, who finished third in the 148-pound class with lifts totaling 600 pounds;

— Osmiel Giner, fourth in the 198-pound class, 795 pounds;

— Jeremiah Garcia, third, 220-pound class, 725 pounds.

Benavidez admitted to some nervousness by his squads.

“They had some beginning jitters,” he said. “I think next month we’ll do a lot better.”

For Logan, Izaiah Kneitz won the 132-pound weight class with total poundage of 800.

For San Jon, Truitt Sallee won the 148-pound class with 725 pounds lifted.

Tucumcari finished fifth in the meet with 15 points. Santa Rosa won the team title with 65 points. Logan finished runner-up with 36 points, and San Jon was third with 19 points.

Other teams competing were Elida, Bosque and Grady.

In girls competition, Logan won the team title with 50 points, edging Grady by one. San Jon and Tucumcari tied for fourth with 12 points.

Individual champions for the Lady Longhorns were:

— April Lansdell, 105-pound division, 340 pounds;

— Bella Coronado, 114-pound division, 475 pounds;

— Makinlee Judd, 132-pound division, 565 pounds;

— Laramee Shields, 181-pound division, 500 pounds;

— Abby Paris, 198-pound division, 540 pounds.

For San Jon, Dakota Fisher won the 165-pound class with 575 pounds lifted.

The top Tucumcari lifters were Amaya Royal, who totaled 520 pounds in the 148-pound weight class, and Isabel Morales, who totaled 455 pounds in the 220-pound class, each finishing third.

Tucumcari’s next meet will be March 25 at Logan, where the Rattlers hope to qualify athletes for the state meet in mid-April.