Imagine: Big, burly men vigorously lifting at the crack of dawn; now, imagine those same men but as teenagers, capable of lifting a car from its parking spot – along with the defiant junior that parked in senior lot too. Though, these majestic wonders of Jesuit Powerlifting usually stay confined within the concrete walls of the Dell gymnasium, where the unassuming few reap an olympian status – ready to exhibit stupendous strength in the long awaited Spring 2023 season.
However, the time has certainly come – that Spring of 2023 – where all the iron weights in the third story Dell facility have seemingly vanished. Nevertheless, February 11th saw a small, but powerful group of five participate in the 2023 Cedar Hill Invitational, where a mix of under and upperclassmen nearly lifted a total of 2000 pounds – in the squat section alone.
Even though the undersized squad ultimately finished ninth, the team illustrated a solid beginning to an exciting, but hefty season. Lifting unfathomable weights, the 165 pound division consisted of senior Christian Straffon – who topped the squat section with 420 pounds – sophomore Gage Gutierrez – who lifted a total of nearly 1000 pounds across three categories – and junior Nick Christon – who deadlifted over three 45 pound iron plates. Representative of a bulkier category, the 181 pound division senior JP Ortega topped the bench press category with 230 pounds; and bulkier than the rest, junior Michael Bracy represented the 198 pound division, lifting a grand total of 1115 pounds – the most out of all participants.
Nevertheless, being a powerlifter requires proper and adequate rest, a fact that granted the team nearly two weeks until their next meet, which conveniently occurred in the surprisingly least air-conditioned facility at Jesuit – the admirable Dell gym. On February 22, the full team – a formidable group of ten – attended the domestic invitational. Featuring a diverse mix of under and upperclassmen, the roster included four seniors, four juniors, and two sophomores.
Leading the 165 Pound Division, senior Christian Straffon – who placed 1st out of all – lifted a grand total of 1130 pounds with juniors Gage Gutierrez and Nick Christon respectively ranking second and third. Populating the 181 Pound division, senior JP Ortega lifted a total of 1010 pounds while Sophomore Caiden Pendola closely followed, managing to handle a total of 965 pounds. A dense group, the 198 pound division consisted of five powerlifters, a squad made up of two juniors, two seniors, and a single sophomore. Leader of the pack, Junior Michael Bracy topped the list with a whopping 1175 pounds in total. Additionally, sophomore Kevin Martinez impressively lifted a total of nearly 1000 pounds, touting a tremendous load of 395 pounds for his squat PR.
Pridefully placing third in the home invitational, the powerlifting team has depicted impressive improvement in their performance – a feat attributed not only to the character of the sport, but also to the close bonds that lifters enjoy.
“The Jesuit powerlifting team is made up of multiple lifters [who] strive to better themselves [and more importantly] each other” – JP Ortega ’23
Seemingly a strong strong man’s suit, Jesuit Powerlifting defies all expectations, as it “is rooted in the ideology of self-improvement,” according to Senior JP Ortega who’s participated in the sport for 2 seasons. Its environment inviting, Powerlifting surprisingly caters to the novice athlete – that anxious beginner – and not only promises belonging, but also burgeoning growth. Ironically, the sport is regarded to be “for the weak,” boasting an uncharacteristic inclusivity which invites “literally anyone to join the sport – [whether or not] you can only squat the bar or bench only dumbbells.” Nevertheless, Ortega adds that Powerlifting fundamentally underscores “[learning] the art of delayed gratification,” an understanding paramount to both maturity and success. Complimenting character, the sport proves itself to be a gem within the realm of Jesuit Athletics – a prosperous opportunity to both the athlete and erudite.
Although the team failed to qualify for state, their admirable 2023 season serves as a benchmark for future achievement – a feat of improvement that defines the sport.
