Angelo State Ram Powerlifters Place at National Meet

Four members of Angelo State University’s Ram Powerlifting Club placed in the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Collegiate National Competition, held in Providence, R.I., April 13-18.

Members of the Ram Powerlifting Club are (back row) Angel Enriquez, James Meador, Bronson Burks, Anita Zelt, Josh Williams, Donald Baker, Brittany Barksdale, Carlos Ochoa and (front row) Rhiannon Howard, Caitlyn Buck, Alyssa Gaitan and Kali Mendez.

Bronson Burks of Bridgeport placed fourth in the men’s Super-Heavy Weight Division and Caitlyn Buck of San Angelo placed fourth in the women’s 125 Pound Division. Alyssa Gaitan of Kyle placed fifth in the women’s 138 Pound Division and Brittany Barksdale of Burnet placed sixth in the women’s 184 Pound Division.

In order to be invited to the USAPL Collegiate National Competition, lifters have to have met a qualifying total at a previous USAPL-sanctioned meet. In powerlifting, lifters complete three attempts each at squat, bench press and deadlift. The qualifying total is the sum of the highest weight lifted in each of the three categories.

Other students who competed for ASU at the national competition were Donald Baker, Rhiannon Howard, Kali Mendez and Josh Williams. Club members who traveled with the team to assist with equipment and other travel-related issues were Angel Enriquez, Greg Johnson, James Meador and Carlos Ochoa.

Gaitan is the president of the Ram Powerlifting Club. The faculty sponsor is Dr. Adam Parker, assistant professor of kinesiology.

Unlike intramural teams, ASU club sports teams are registered student organizations that are directed and funded by the Office of Student Life and overseen by the Sports Club Council.