Powerlifting tournaments for the spring season are in full swing. February 3 the boys and girls teams competed at the Sabine invitational meet and won first place.

“I am very pleased with the season thus far,” head powerlifting coach Joe Ryzmann said. “Coach Smith and I try to identify where the weak areas are in the lifters and really try to focus on those. It has been helping a lot.”

The season started at the Lindale invitational Jan. 6, where the Lindale boys and girls teams finished in first place. The second tournament in Sulphur Springs resulted in a second place win after a tiebreaker with Sulphur Springs for the guys team and a third place win for the girls.

I enjoy the fight and struggle to improve and do more than I ever thought I could. I just hope to keep improving and make it farther than I ever have.

Each individual powerlifter gains enough points at these invitational meets to qualify for the regional meet in March. The athletes who finish first or second in regionals will advance to state.

“We really come together as a team,” junior Makayla Ragland said. “We always push each other, and it’s always a lot of fun. We laugh a lot, and we work hard.”

The teams practices everyday during and after school until 5:00 p.m. Their workout routine alternates between arm and leg workout days and consists of bench, squat, deadlift, pull-ups, incline and one-legged squats.

“I’ve been here 11 years, and I never enjoyed any other school district as much as I enjoy Lindale, Head Powerlifting Coach Joe Ryzmann said. “The kids here are awesome, and they are very appreciative for the coaching they get.”