Kicking off the winter sports, you will find student-athletes lifting weights at the crack of dawn. The school is silent except for the music coming from speakers as Coach Lisenbea helps pump up his power-lifting team. Coaching for his first time at Hallettsville, Logan Lisenbea is looking to guide both the girls’ and boys’ powerlifting teams to a State birth.
“My goals this year were to get as many kids as possible on the team and get all of the seniors to region,” Lisenbea said. “I want every lifter to get a personal record on every lift, and I am giving them every opportunity to lift, whether it be in the morning before school, or after school.”
Senior Abree Deleon has lifted for the past three years of her high school career. Deleon has big aspirations for herself as a senior before she leaves HHS.
“The last three years, I made it to regionals and didn’t try to place and was just there for the experience, but this year I am trying to place for a medal and maybe even advance to state. So far I am satisfied with how this year is going, I placed first at my first meet and hope to keep it going,” Deleon said.
Sierra Chapa, a senior and one of the team’s top lifters according to Lisenbea, has set high standards for her fourth and final year of high school powerlifting.
“As a senior, I have set high standards for myself as this is my fourth year participating in powerlifting,” Chapa said. “My top goal this year is to make it to state, In the last three years, I have made it to regionals and have placed third the last two years. First and second are the ones that advance to state and last year I was 10 pounds away from going to state and it took a big toll on me.”
As seniors, Chapa and Deleon are looked upon as role models and leaders of the team.
“My expectations for the team this year is to just do great, this year has been going awesome as one goes up to compete; we are all there to help motivate them, and that is truly what a team is for, and I love it,” Chapa said.
“Yes I’m happy with my team’s results, they have gotten first at the rice meet for the first time since I’ve been in High School and I’m very proud of them,” Deleon said.
Lots of freshmen this year have joined powerlifting. As freshmen this year will be a learning process for further years and progressively get better.
“Freshmen are the backbone of every team,” Lisenbea said. “The kids are doing a great job; we are especially strong in our freshmen. We have three freshman boys doing a great job, and I’m really proud of them.”
Being a first-year coach, Lisenbea is looking to make the program as best as possible for the future and inspire people to join and help out the sport.
“I can’t put into words how excited I am for the rest of the season. Having the right coach by our side and getting excited as we get our lifts out of the roof. Coach Lisenbea has made this organization better this year, all he tells us is that he is trying to get us to state and how strong we truly are as we have bad days.” Chapa said.
Be sure to support your Brahmas and Lady Brahmas in any way you can as they go into the powerlifting and winter sports season!
