Tigers place third in Temple Invitational

February 20, 2025

By Clay Whittington

Belton Journal

The Tigers traveled for the Temple Invitational last week and delivered an impressive outing, placing third among the eight teams in attendance.

Daniel Arana, who was named most outstanding lifter in the 181 pounds and under category, helped pace Belton to 28 points, earning gold in the 123 weight class. He had a 420-pound squat, 280 bench press and 440 deadlift to total 1,140.

Tigers standout Corbin Whitman was his closest competitor with a 345-185- 250–780 total to place second in the division.

Belton’s only other medal was earned by 165-pounder Logan Ricks, who delivered a 1,300 total (500-315-485).

Rounding out the Tigers’ score was Owen Rivera (4th, 132, 305-200-300– 805), Gino Zecca (4th, 165, 405-240- 420–1,065), Thomas Morten (4th, 181, 450-305-420–1,175), Hayden Holman (4th, 220, 400-305-435–1,140) and Anthony Anderson (5th, 132, 300-190-300– 790).

Waco captured the team title with 35 points, edging out second-place Waco Midway (33) by two points, while Killeen (4th, 28) and Lake Belton (5th, 23) followed in the final standings.

Leonel Castillo (132, 355-210-320– 885) and Freddie Westbrook (242, 520- 300-500–1,320) won their weight classes for the Broncos, while teammates Jax Holleman (165, 405-280-390–1,075) and Evan Lazott (275, 425-360-475–1,260) were each third.

Also scoring for Lake Belton was Isaiah Faulk (4th, 242, 405-195-405– 1,005), Ayden Boyer (5th, 148, 280-180- 320–780) and Colton Crocker (5th, 275, 425-235-475–1,135).

In the girls division, the Lady Broncos were sixth with 17 points thanks in part to 97-pounders Catalina Esquivel (170-100-190–460) and Kaitlyn Mays (150-85-185–420) placing second and third, respectively.

The team’s remaining points were generated by Haein Lee (4th, 114, 140- 140-160–440), Analicia Diaz (4th, 148, 260-155-285–700), Anna Huffman (4th, 165, 275-155-235–665), Lorelei Scallorn (4th, 220, 265-170-250–685) and Baylie Anderson (5th, 242, 185-90-220–495).

Belton was eighth (6) with Julie He (3rd, 123, 215-140-270–625), Katelyn Bailey (4th, 97, 125-90-145–360) and Isabella Ake (5th, 220, 190-125- 235–550) scoring.

Copperas Cove placed first with 61 points, beating out Waco University (2nd, 31), Temple (3rd, 27) and Waco (4th, 21).

Lake Belton also hosted a girls meet last week, and the Lady Broncos defended their home turf, winning the team title with 36 points.

Camryn Mikulas (105, 165-115- 200–480), Tatum Vaughn (148, 320- 160-305–785) and Aleyna Castor (181, 320-180-335–835) each placed first, while teammates Harper Holt (123, 185-130-230–545), Emyle Love (132, 245-125-265–635) and Abby Rydberg (148, 260-170-315– 745) were second.

China Spring (2nd, 34), Belton (3rd, 17) and Copperas Cove (4th, 14) rounded out the top four.

The Lady Tigers were led by Kennedy Weston (2nd, 181, 285- 175-305–765), Makayla Reyes (3rd, 123, 225-125-175–525), Ciara Messersmith (3rd, 132, 215-150- 245–610) and Bella Reyes (3rd, 148, 265-150-245–660).