Rams girls take Spartan Invite lift, boys battle with Jaguars

BERNALILLO —Need a lift? The Rams have you covered.

This past weekend, the Rio Rancho powerlifting team opened its season off with a bang, taking top spots at the Spartan Invite in Bernalillo.

Rio’s girls took first place while the boys took second in the nine-team field, already off and running for what could be another big year for the established program.

There were 34 personal records set by the Rams, according to the team, including impressive showings by 12 new lifters. 

On the girls' side, Rio put up 43 points in the victory. Three Rams took top-10 spots, including Ashley Foley, taking second, and Madeline McIntyre, taking fourth.

In terms of individual finishes, Mikayla Ellis showed out in the squat and deadlift. Ellis posted a 260 in squat and 320 in deadlift, finishing second overall in both categories.

For the bench press, Alex Nunez and Leah Velarde came together to both post a team-best 115.

The girls beat out Atrisco Heritage and West Mesa in their division-one matchups, posting the most points of the day overall as well. Highland and host Bernalillo followed them in second and third points-wise.

For the boys, it was a fierce battle with the Jaguars. Rio’s three finishes in the top-10 were no match for Atrisco’s seven, as the Jags topped the Rams 57-48.

While it was a silver finish for the team, Rio had some impressive numbers to boast. Anthony Golson and Justice Salinas both put up 445 in the squat category, tying for second overall individually. 

Salinas would also be the individual winner in the bench press, putting up 325 to best Atrisco’s Nicholas Alderete’s 315.

The Jaguars got their revenge in the deadlift, taking all the top three spots. Alderete teamed up with Wa Qari Walker and Tony Abeyta to be the only three to post over 500 in the deadlift category, with Alderete housing a 520.

While it is still early, it is clear that the high school powerlifting season has hit the ground running. 

Rio, along with Atrisco, will be names to watch out for, likely to run into each other again on the road to the state competition.