MPISD – Sports

MPHS Lady Tiger Powerlifting State qualifiers (L to R) Alexandra Martinez, Araceli Landaverde, Nayeli Jaimes, Jasmine Landaverde, McKinsee Oviedo

Contact: Kelly Cowan

MPHS Lady Tiger Powerlifters set multiple records qualifying five for State

Thirteen individual Lady Tiger Powerlifters arrived at the Regional meet to make it to State. On the way, they would set multiple records, the first being a school record of five advancing to the State Meet. 

Qualifying for the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association State meet are: 

Senior and 2022 5A State Champion Nayeli Jaimes, in her weight class, broke the record for bench (285 lbs.), deadlift (385 lbs.), and overall total (1105 lbs.) to claim the Regional Championship. She is currently ranked No. 1 in all divisions and will make her fourth trip to the State meet.

Senior and 2022 State Finalist Alexandra Martinez, in her weight class, broke the bench record (210 lbs.) and placed second in her weight class. It will be her second trip to the State meet. 

Junior McKinsee Oviedo, who qualified for State by reaching the automatic qualifying total, placed fourth in her weight class at Regionals and will make her first trip to the State meet.

Junior Araceli Landaverde, who placed second in her weight class, makes her first trip to State.

Sophomore Jasmine Landaverde placed second in her weight class. It will be Landaverde’s first trip to State and will be extra special as she is making the trip with her sister, Araceli.

Four other Lady Tigers placed in the top ten in their weight classes, including junior Saniya Milton in sixth place, just ten pounds away from qualifying for State, sophomores Karen Hernandez and Xitlaly Sanchez, each placing ninth in their respective weight classes, and senior Jenna Cook in tenth place. Senior Audrie Mendoza placed 12th, juniors Zoe Zittel and Jordan West were 13th, and sophomore Dori Macedo placed 11th.

“In all my years coaching powerlifting, I have never had a group of young ladies work as hard as my team this year,” said Lady Tiger Powerlifting Coach Don Woods. “Not to say my past teams didn’t work hard, but this team has been exceptional. They have shown up to practice without fail and have striven to hone their craft to be the best at what they do. I am so proud to say I get to coach these tremendous young ladies.”

The Girls Powerlifting State Meet is March 15-18 at the Comerica Center in Frisco; Woods and Drew Barnard coach MPHS Powerlifting.