The Robstown girls powerlifting team ended the school's 30-year state-title drought Friday, by winning the Class 4A small-school championship.
The team sent seven girls to the Texas High School Women's Powerlifting Association's state meet, and each one of them finished in the top five in their respective weight classes.
Their finishes netted the athletes medals and added points to the teams overall totals, which gave them the title.
“It feels great,” senior Linzee Garza said. I’ve been working so hard, the whole team has been working so hard for it, I’m really excited.”
Garza finished in fifth in the 114 weight class. Leaya Alaniz placed third in the 97 weight class, Jamie Casas and Janessa Vela finished in second in the 148 and 220 weight classes, respectively, and Ananda Lopez, Iliana Cortinas and Jozannah Rodriguez won gold in the 105, 123, and 132 weight classes, respectively.
“Last year, we got second as a team with only three girls. It’s a big difference, it feels so much better, it’s amazing,” Cortinas said. “We have a lot of really good lifters, and all our lifters were expected to place. As a team, I knew for sure we were going to place.”
The Cotton Pickers defeated defending champs Perryton, by six points.
“It feels great,” said coach DeAndre Holmes. "These girls, they put in a lot of work. We started the season earlier than most people probably started — before Christmas — and so it's good. It's been fun. It's been exciting."
Competing at the American Bank Center, the team had a lot of support from fans who made the short drive into Corpus Christi.
“When it comes to fans, they’ve always been number one. They rep the town so proud, they’re so proud of all the lifters,” Cortinas said. “I’m not surprised this many people came out. They’re amazing, our fans are the best.”
For the seniors, Garza, Cortinas, and Lopez, it is especially rewarding to win the championship in their last year competing.
“It felt amazing, it’s all our accomplishments at once,” Lopez said. “All our hard work, everything has made it happen.”
Rockport-Fulton, Ingleside, and West Oso high schools also had girls competing Friday morning. Rockport-Fulton’s Valeria Ramirez finished in first in the 148 weight class.
For the complete results of Coastal Bend athletes, click here.
The Coastal Bend area also swept Class 3A big-school honors: San Diego placed first, London second, Bishop third and Santa Gertrudis Academy placed fourth.
In the Class 3A small-school category, Hebbronville tied for third and Skidmore-Tynan placed fourth.
Digital content producer Ana Tamez contributed to this developing story. Check back with KRIS 6 News for updates.
