Ram Powerlifting Club Excels at Aggie Showdown

Competing against teams from colleges and universities across Texas, the ASU team notched seven individual first-place finishes and two second-places in various categories of both “equipped” and “raw” contests. Equipped contests allow competitors to wear special clothing, including bench shirts, squat suits and knee wraps, that allow them to lift heavier weights. Raw contests are conducted without any special clothing. 

Lifters complete three attempts each at squat, bench press and deadlift. The qualifying total is the sum of the highest weight lifted in each of the three disciplines. 

ASU’s top finishers by category and weight class were:

Men

• Josh Williams of Azle: First Place, Collegiate Equipped, 183 pounds
• Donald Baker of Sweetwater: First Place, Collegiate Equipped, 205 pounds
• Eddie Zapata of San Antonio: First Place, Push/Pull, 265 pounds
• James Meador of Wall: First Place, Collegiate Equipped, 265 pounds
• Nate Guzman of Sterling City: First Place, Teen Raw, 265+ pounds
• Carolos Ochoa of San Antonio: First Place, Collegiate Raw, 265+ pounds
• Ethan Coulter of Fort Worth: Second Place, Collegiate Raw, 205 pounds

Women

• Caitlyn Buck of San Angelo: First Place, Collegiate Equipped, 138 pounds
• Kali Mendez of Sonora: Second Place, Collegiate Equipped, 138 pounds 

Additionally, Buck was named Best Female Equipped Lifter. 

Unlike intramural teams, ASU club sports teams are registered student organizations that are directed and funded by the Office of Student Life and overseen by the Sports Club Council. Buck is president of the Ram Powerlifting Club, and the faculty sponsor is Dr. Adam Parker, associate professor of kinesiology.