Lady Tigers place second at Regional powerlifting meet

March 6, 2025

By Clay Whittington

Belton Journal

The Lady Tigers qualified at least one athlete in every weight class for the regional powerlifting meet, and then, they capitalized on the opportunity to excel.

In total, eight Belton lifters produced points, while three emerged with gold medals as the Lady Tigers placed second at the Region II-5A, Division II Meet on Saturday at Del Valle.

Led by Lauren Seidel, Kennedy Weston, Melissa Farmer and Byonka Donaldson, who each advanced to the upcoming state meet, Belton finished with 34 points — a mere 10 behind champion Liberty Hill.

Seidel placed first in the 105-pound weight class, using a 175-pound squat, 90 bench press and 235 deadlift to total 500 pounds, while Weston (325-170- 320–815) and Farmer (350-185- 330–865) won the 181 and 242 divisions, respectively.

Additionally, by placing among the top two, 242+ standout Donaldson (2nd, 355-185-300– 840) also qualified for state.

Lake Belton will also be represented at state after finishing fourth (21) at the Region II-5A, Division I Meet.

Jayla Lisenbe was second (385-225-340–950) in the 198 weight class, and she will be joined by teammates Scarlett Cotham and Alayna Castro, who qualified by eclipsing predetermined totals. Cotham was third (245-150-280–675) in the 114 division, and Castor was fifth (315-195-340–850) in the 181 division.

The Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association State Championships will be held at Edinburg’s Bert Ogden Arena on March 15.

At regionals, Lady Broncos placed behind champion College Station (42), Kyle Lehman (2nd, 29) and Burleson Centennial (3rd, 22) as multiple lifters generated points.

Catalina Esquivel (3rd, 97, 190-105-215–510), Macie Solis (3rd, 105, 230-125-240–595), Emma Scholz (4th, 105, 210-135- 205–550), Shekayla Munoz (4th, 114, 240-125-245–610), Baylie Anderson (4th, 242, 190-105- 245–540), Moriah Rydberg (5th, 114, 240-125-225–590) and Isalei Simpson (5th, 242+, 270-150-255– 675) each contributed to the team’s total.

The Lady Tigers beat out Elgin (3rd, 26) and Pflugerville Connally (4th, 25) as Briley Campbell (3rd, 114, 215-120-235–570), Anahi Perez (3rd, 198, 290-155- 300–745), Katelyn Bailey (4th, 97, 140-90-165–395) and Isabella Ake (4th, 220, 200-125-235–560) each placed among the top four.

Also competing at regionals were Belton’s Gabriela Magana Avila (6th, 181, 260-155-290–705), Makayla Reyes (7th, 123, 215-115- 185–515), Ciara Messersmith (9th, 132, 195-140-245–580), Rachel Truitt (9th, 165, 235-150- 245–630) and Bella Reyes (11th, 148, 220-135-240– 595).

Lake Belton’s remaining lifters were Kaitlyn Mays (6th, 97, 175-90- 205–470), Maia Keen (6th, 220, 295-165-275– 735), Harper Holt (7th, 123, 205-120-290–615), Emyle Love (7th, 132, 250-145-275–670), Aralina Acosta (7th, 198, 310- 175-290–775), Lorelai Scallorn (7th, 220, 275- 175-255–705), Avery Park (8th, 198, 315-165-290– 770), Sarah Rogers (9th, 97, 100-45-115–260), Tatum Vaughn (10th, 148, 315-160-285–760) and Abby Rydberg (12th, 148, 240-165-300–705).