Contributing Writer
The Cuero Powerlifting Team has officially launched its season, and they did so with impressive flair during their first competition at Gonzales High School on Thursday, Jan. 8.
Both the Gobblers and Lady Gobblers demonstrated exceptional strength and skill, with several athletes walking away with well-deserved medals.
In the fiercely competitive 132 weight class, Jaide Jones and Stran Gaitan showcased their strength by clinching gold medals, while teammate Jeana Naranjo completed the podium with a bronze medal.
The 165 weight class saw Natalie Taylor achieve a commendable secondplace finish. Following closely behind were Conner Serece and Zach Maldonado, who secured third and fourth places respectively. The atmosphere was filled with energy as the lifters continued to push their limits, demonstrating the dedication and commitment that these young athletes exhibit in training.
Cuero’s 181 weight class featured strong performances as well, with Larenn Elizalde achieving a respectable fourth-place finish, and Connor Thigpen earning a solid third. In the 198 weight class, Korbin Flessner captured a bronze medal, adding to the Gobblers’ growing tally.
The highlight of the meet came in the 220 weight class, where Avalynn Rodriguez emerged victorious, snatching the gold medal. Johnathan Perez and Hayden Leist also stepped up, finishing third and fifth respectively. The combination of equipped and unequipped results for this meet brought forth exciting competition and showcased the versatility among the lifters.
In addition to the medal winners, the top ten finishes were peppered with noteworthy performances. Hudson Zengerle posted a total of 945, Jace Patek achieved a 915 total, and Noah Weghorst brought in an impressive 1035. Jackson Martin and Lawson Hahn both tallied totals of 950, further contributing to the team’s impressive showing. Coach Mike Bonewald spoke of the boys after the meet, “Proud of all the lifter on how they competed in their first meet of the year. We have many veteran lifter that have started off strong for the 2026 season.”
Despite a strong performance, the Cuero boys placed fifth in the meet, accumulating 25 points, with first-place honors going to Seguin High School, which gathered 49 points. However, the highlight for the Cuero girls is the impressive rankings they’ve achieved already. According to Coach Leah Flores, all of the girls are currently in the top 5 in their region. Rodriguez stands out as the only equipped lifter in the 220 weight class and is currently ranked 1st. Both Jones and Taylor are also leading their classes, with Jones taking the top spot in the 132 class and Taylor matching her peers for the 165 class.
”I am super proud of our girls,” Coach Flores remarked after the competition. “They are all working hard, and it is paying off after just one meet.”
Looking ahead, the next challenge for the Cuero Powerlifting Team will be a first ever home meet on Thursday, January 22, in the girls gym starting at 5:00. With the momentum from a strong start, supporters can expect more outstanding performances and perhaps even more medals on the horizon. The Gobblers are ready to face the season head-on as they continue to build on their successes.
