Snyder lifters win state championships

Snyder head coach Tremaine Johnson believed senior Kerrington Biggers and junior Cheyenne Avila could win gold medals at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association state Class 4A meet and they delivered.

Biggers lifted a state-record 1,070 pounds in winning the 165-pound weight class. Cheyenne Avila, who set state records in the squat (425 pounds) and total weight (975 pounds), won the 132-pound weight class in Waco Saturday.

Johnson said Biggers and Avila became the first Snyder girls to win powerlifting state championships.

“It felt good to see the results,” Johnson said. “One of the many things I encourage the athletes to do is commit themselves to dream big. Two years ago, I knew it was possible for Kerrington and Cheyenne. I believe those two young ladies have set the tone for current and future powerlifters to have a target and let nothing stop you from reaching your goals with hard work. Cheyenne and Kerrington were well prepared. They kept their focus and stayed ahead of the competition.”

Biggers, who also played volleyball and competes in track and field, decided two years ago to focus on powerlifting.

“I showed up to my first practice during the summer going into my sophomore year and fell in love with the sport,” she said. “Ever since then, I have been addicted to powerlifting. It means so much to be able to have represented God, my family and the community of Snyder. Bringing home a state championship has been a dream and doing it with Cheyenne means a lot to me, too. My family has always been there to support me, and I won for them.”

Biggers said she will not forget the deadlift and the congratulations from Johnson.

“I always knew coach Johnson was proud of me, no matter the outcome of any meet,” she said. “I turned around after my last deadlift and to have him hug me and say that he’s proud of me, I will never forget that moment.”

Biggers started the competition by squatting 440 pounds and had a bench press of 215 pounds.

She finished with a lift of 415 pounds in the deadlift. She was selected the outstanding lifter in all three events, as well as the outstanding lifter on the heavy platform.

“Going in being ranked No. 1 made me nervous at first,” she said. “Everybody is gunning for you. I was going to compete and earn what was mine, like my coaches taught me. You can never be satisfied.”

Biggers missed a squat of 400 pounds in her first attempt, but recovered.

“I didn’t lock out,” she said, referring to the first squat attempt. “I tried it on my second attempt and got it up easily, thanks to encouragement from my wrapper, Alex Rubio. I then jumped to 440 pounds and it felt easier. My bench press went well  and I had a personal best. My deadlift allowed my to break the state record. I was not aware that I was going to break the record, but I am grateful to be a part of history.”

Biggers said she dedicated her performance to three family members.

“The squat was for my late great-grandfather Earnest Biggers,” she said. “The bench press was for my late great-grandmother Angeline Biggers. The deadlift was for my late aunt Angela Biggers.  I knew no matter the outcome of the meet, I would have made them proud.”

Avila also was the top-ranked lifter in her weight class. She squatted 425 pounds and had a bench press of 215 pounds. Avila finished with a deadlift of 335 pounds.

“It was a nervous feeling, but I knew if I did my job, stayed focused and listened to my coach,  everything would go smoothly,” she said. “You have to leave everything on the platform with no regrets or worries. I knew as long as my technique was good, everything would go as planned.”

Avila said powerlifting changed her life.

“It has made me challenge different things,” she said. “Being one of the first girls to win a title has been an amazing experience. It shows how hard and dedicated we are and how much we love the sport.”

Avila said it was hard to describe the feeling of being a state champion.

“It was the best feeling in the world knowing I worked hard for the title all year,” she said. “It was so much excitement and happiness all in one. I knew I wouldn’t have done it without Kerrington and coach Johnson, my friends and family supporting me.”

Avila will have an opportunity at one more state title next season.

“My goal will be set higher and  put more weight on the bar,” she said. “I want to be stronger and better.”

Johnson expects Avila will reach a higher level next season.

“Cheyenne is going into her senior year with momentum to win another championship,” he said. “I expect even bigger things. She and other lifters will begin preparation next week.”

As a team, Snyder finished fourth. Bergandi Alvarado finished ninth in the 123-pound weight class while Bonnie Jasper was 10th in the 165-pound weight class and Natalia Juarez was 13th in the 114-pound weight class.

Team results: 1. Crystal City 28; 2. Beeville Jones 27; 3. Springtown 16; 4. Snyder 14; 5. Anna 12; 5. Corpus Christi West Oso 12; 5. Shepherd 12; 8. Rio Hondo 9; 9. Hillsboro 8; 10. Andrews 7; 10. Kennedale 7; 12. Hidalgo Early College 6; 13. Alvarado 5; 13. Gainesville 5; 13. Orangefield 5; 13. Lytle 5; 17. Gilmer 4; 18. Port Isabel 3; 18. Stafford 3; 18. Victoria St. Joseph 3; 18, Giddings 3; 18. Orange Grove 3; 18. Zapata 3; 18. Bonham 3; 18. Perryton 3; 26. Waco Connally 2; 26. Monahans 2; 26. Waco La Vega 2; 29. Paris 1; 30. Geronimo Navarro 1; 30. Stephenville 1; 30. Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 1. 

114-pound weight class: 13. Natalia Juarez, 645 pounds (275 squat, 115 bench press, 255 deadlift).

123-pound weight class: 9. Bergandi Alvarado, 750 pounds (330 squat, 145 bench press, 275 deadlift).

132-pound weight class: 1. Cheyenne Avila, 975 pounds (425 squat, 215 bench press, 335 deadlift).

165-pound weight class: 1. Kerrington Biggers, 1,070 pounds (440 squat, 215 bench press, 415 deadlift); 10. Bonnie Jasper, 815 pounds (330 squat, 165 bench press, 300 deadlift).