The boys’ high school state powerlifting championship are taking place this weekend in Abilene.
Once again, our area will be represented. But keep an eye on Odem’s Marcos Romero.
Despite coming off a serious knee injury sustained a year ago playing football, Romero is backing competing at a high level. The 5-foot-7, 304-pounder tore his MCL and broke his kneecap along with some other knee injuries.
But here he is, back on the comeback trail after two surgeries. And now, he’s tearing up the competition.
Romero won the regional title in Class 3A and is now headed to his first state competition, competing in the heavyweight division.
He can squat 670 pounds, deadlift 550 and bench-press 420. And for just a junior, it’s pretty amazing he’s come this far, this fast.
Romero says he has come a long way back from his injuries.
“It was pretty bad,” he said. “I was out for a good six or seven months. I could not walk for nearly four or five months.
“And ever since then, I have taken my therapy real seriously. Taking every day by day and trying really hard. And here I am, the best I could possibly be.”
Slowly but surely, Romero rebuilt his strength.
“The squat was really hard, started off with just 100 pounds and started working my way up,” he said. “Every week I just kept adding more weight, taking it slowly day by day.
“And with all that time, patience and progress I became really good at the squat again. It’s my favorite lift.”
We wish Marcos the very best as he plans to renew his football career next season as a senior at defensive tackle.
