For the first time in Raider history, senior power lifter Marissa Gentry-Yzaguirre competed at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association state meet. Yzaguirre finished sixth overall just one place away from medaling.

“I was very excited for Marissa,” Powerlifting Coach John Mitchell said. “She set a goal before the season to advance to state and be first to represent our school.”

Three judges score the powerlifters by their form. If the powerlifter is given two out of three green lights the lift is counted. The best of the three lifts is the one counted over all.

“I love the drive of lifting,” Yzaguirre said. “You’re always competing with yourself and the bar. There’s always a new goal to meet. “

Before the meet, Yzaguirre and Coach Mitchell pushed themselves at practice to get her lifts up higher.

“Yzaguirre has battled through a number of injuries and disappointments,” Mitchell said. “However these setbacks only strengthened her and she proved to herself that she was able to compete at state level.”

Yzaguirre started powerlifting as a sophomore after being introduced to the sport by head football coach Joe Lepsis. Yzaguirre wants to continue her power lifting career long after high school.

Yzaguirre is enrolled in ROTC and is pursuing a career in the Navy.

“I would like to someday be a powerlifting coach,” Yzaguirre said. “As for the upcoming future I would like to continue competing in the Navy when it’s an option.”

At the state meet, Yzaguirre added 30 pounds to her.

“I think she has been a great inspiration to the rest of the girls on the team and hopefully she represents the first of many,” Mitchell said.