As the 2018-19 season approaches, the powerlifting team is focusing on getting bigger and stronger to take the national championship title in April 2019.
Practice starts bright and early at 4 a.m. for the powerlifters of Texas State. Training is Monday through Thursday at FitFactory in San Marcos, ranging anywhere from hour-and-a-half sessions to three hours. Juan Pablo Quijano Amaya, public relations officer, said the team is making changes in leadership and atmosphere this year to help gear up for nationals.
“We want people to take this season more seriously and treat it like a regular sport instead of a club sport,” Juan Pablo Quijano Amaya said. “We want leaders to be established, and we want to make sure there is a culture of discipline and worth ethic.”
The team came home from nationals last year with many individual qualifiers and an individual national title. Head coach and president Trent Enriquez said next year, the team wants to leave the championships with even more titles.
“I have three crucial goals for this year: build pride in this organization, instill a family type atmosphere, and win the national championship as a team,” Enriquez said. “If I am going to drive all the way to Ohio, I want to come back with the gold.”
There are currently 60 people on the powerlifting team, with only half going to nationals. Enriquez treats the powerlifters like a Division 1 team with tougher practices and stricter recruiting. As a part of the team’s growth, they will sign athletes out of high school with letters of intent, the first being a Belton High School graduate.
“She was the first lifter ever signed,” Enriquez said. “That was a huge step in the right direction with getting more people attracted to the club.”
Those interested in learning more about the team can contact Enriquez through the Texas State Campus Recreation website.