BISD’s Lady powerlifting teams closeout season; boys sending four to state

March 20, 2025

By Clay Whittington

The Belton Journal

The Lady Broncos and Lady Tigers did not earn any medals at last week’s state powerlifting meet, but their counterparts still have an opportunity to achieve the loft feat.

Belton and Lake Belton capped off their campaigns Saturday, when each program traveled to Edinburg for the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Class 5A State Meet, and while none of the local competitors placed among the top three, Jayla Lisenbe came the closest.

The Lady Broncos junior finished fourth in the Division I 198-pound weight class, amassing a total of 980 pounds to finish just 15 pounds behind bronze medalist Deandra Ybarra, of Donna. Lisenbe had a 405 squat, 240 bench press and 335 deadlift.  

Also lifting inside the Bert Ogden Arena, Scarlytt Cotham, a 114-pounder, had a 245-145-275–665 showing for Lake Belton. Aleyna Castor also participated, but she was unable to complete a lift in the 181 weight class.

Lisenbe’s outing accounted for both of the Lady Broncos’ points as they finished 21st overall.

Victoria East emerged atop the team standings with 27 points, while Donna (2nd, 25), McAllen Memorial (3rd, 20) and Harlingen South (4th, 19) followed.

Belton also accumulated two points and placed 25th in the Division II meet.

Kennedy Weston (181, 360-155-350–865) and Melissa Farmer (242, 365-195-340–900) combined to generate the Lady Tigers’ score with identical fifth-place outings, while teammates Lauren Seidel (105, 155-90-230–475) and Byonka Donaldson (242+, 375-200-305–880) were eighth and ninth, respectively.

Edcouch-Elsa (1st, 43) barely edged out Dennison (2nd, 41) for the team title, while Victoria West (14) was a distant third. 

With the girls season concluded, now, the boys’ opportunities.

The Texas High School Powerlifting Association Division I State Meet is set for Saturday at Abilene’s Taylor County Expo Center, and four Belton ISD products will be in attendance.

By placing either first or second or meeting a predetermined weight total at last week’s Region II, Division I meet, two Broncos and two Tigers qualified for state.

Winning their weight classes, Christian Morales and Brett Harmon helped Lake Belton finish third in the final standings with 15 points — one fewer than runner-up Pflugerville Hendrickson (2nd, 16). Host school Joshua emerged with the championship, scoring 29 points.

Morales topped the 114 field with 1,005 (350-240-415), while Harmon won the 275 title with 1,590 (625-410-555).

Additionally, Cooper Arnold and Leonel Castillo competed for the Broncos in the 132 division, placing fifth (385- 290-375–1,050) and 11th (350-220-340–910), respectively.

Despite recording just three points en route to placing 20th, Belton advanced Daniel Arana (3rd, 123, 405-300-425– 1,130) and Logan Ricks (8th, 165, 515-300-485–1,300) with qualifying totals.

orbin Wittman (12th, 123, 375-215-205–795) also represented the Tigers.