On the heels of finishing third at the San Saba Invitational February 13, Llano High School girls powerlifting coach Richard Kattner announced that the majority of the Lady Jackets qualified for the Class 3A Big School Region 2 meet.
They are Rubi Monroy, Carson Hoot and Olivia Hoot in the 123-pound division, Violetta Zagada and Reagan Mikulenka in the 132-pound division, Cambree Hoyt in the 148-pound division, Lizbeth Depaz in the 165-pound division, Presley Allen and Rebecca Vaughn in the 181-pound division, Brooklin Cahoon in the 198-pound division, and Camrie Henderson in the 242-pound division.
Only three Llano lifters didn't qualify for regionals.
'We ended up with three quarters (of the team) making it to regionals,' Kattner said. 'The ones who didn't make it are freshmen.'
The key, Kattner said, was moving some lifters to different weight classes.
That's what happened with Mikulenka, who went from the 123s to the 132s.
'There are a whole lot (of athletes) in the 123s,' the coach said. 'She wasn't high enough in the 123s in her totals. She had to put on four pounds to do it. It was her choice because she wanted to go to regionals. Her totals ended up better.'
With the regional rankings posting February 17, athletes across the region began packing on more weight to try to be ranked in the top 12 of their weight class to advance to regionals. That squeezed out a Lady Jacket.
'The numbers got aggressive this past weekend,' Kattner said.
The results of the San Saba meet, to him, simply reaffirmed what he already knew about his lifters.
'We solidified and saw who could get their numbers,' the coach said.
Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets also had several terrific moments. Kattner noted that several set new personal records.
'They did well,' he said. He said his favorite moment of the San Saba meet wasn't when they announced the results of the team competition. It occurred when the boys team had to wait for the girls to get all their medals and their plaque. One Yellow Jackets asked the obvious question.
'Why do they always win,' he said.
'Because they train year around,' boys head coach Joe Kennedy replied. '(Kattner) starts them in July.'
The girls regional meet is at Dublin High School Saturday, March 1. Boys regional rankings will be posted Monday, February 24.
'A few girls will win medals as long as they don't mess up on their lifts,' Kattner said.
SAN SABA INVITATIONAL RESULTS Boys (squat-bench pressdeadlift-- totals) 123 -- 3, Landon Morrison, 255-145-245--645; 165 -- 7, Elijah Macedo, 315-225-355--895; 181 -- 3, Chadz Fraise, 405-275-415-1,095; 198 -- 8, Hayden Bigger, 385-275-375--1,035; 220 -- 5, Mario Hernandez, 455-275-435--,1,165, 7, Nick Light, 395-260-345-1,000; 242 -- 3, Michael Logan, 480-320-440--1,240, 4, Cason Stephenson, 485275-440--1,200; 275 -- 3, Scott Hernderson, 495-295405--1,195, 4, James Greenwood, 430-290-425--1,145, 5, Zack Driskel, 375-275350--1,000; Girls (squat-bench pressdeadlift-- totals) 114-- 3, Ziva Isbell, 160105-185--450; 123 -- 2, Olivia Hoot, 245-125-215--585, 5, Jessica Fry, 135-75-195-405; 132-- 3, Violetta Zagada, 245-135-275--655, 8, Reagan Mikulenka, 210-125220-555; 148, 1, Cambree Hoyt, 285-150-270--705, 3, Gracie Denton, 230-120210-560; 181-- 2, Rebecca Vaughn, 270-180-285-735, 6, Brooklin Cahoon, 220-120-225--565; 220-- 1, Camrie Henderson, 320-170280--770
