The Fort Stockton powerlifting teams could not have started their seasons on a much better note after their outings on Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Sandhills Invitational.

The Panthers placed first as a team behind two first place finishes while the Prowlers placed second in large part due to three top performances.

The boys team had two champions in their respective weight class as Jaylee Ibarra won the 148-pound division along with teammate Jaydrien Ramirez, who claimed a top finish in the 181-pound division.

Ibarra squatted 410 pounds, benched 260 pounds, and deadlifted 340 pounds for a total weight of 1,010 pounds. The total weight was 65 pounds more than the runner-up in the 148-pound division.

Ramirez had even greater separation from his competition at 181 pounds. The sophomore lifted a total of 1,215 in the competition’s three lifts and as result, lifted 95 pounds more than the runner-up in the division.

Ramirez squatted 485 pounds - the fourth highest total out of the 49 participants at the meet - which included 23 competitors who were at higher weight classes. The sophomore benched 305 pounds and deadlifted 425 pounds.

Desiree Garza, Esther Tercero, and Iliana De La Rosa placed first in their respective divisions. Xitlachi Vasquez and Rochelle Quiroz came in second place.

The Fort Stockton boys team had four competitors place second including: junior Daniel Renteria (132-pound division), junior Kendrick Porras (148-pound division), sophomore Justin “Joker” Sanchez (198-pound division), and junior Luis Mendoza (308-pound division).

Freshman Darian Renteria placed fourth and Cade Bayer placed sixth.

“I’m very proud of these young men both in the weight room and in the classroom, making it possible for us to go compete and get better,” Panthers head coach Jeremy Boatright said.