Burnet powerlifting hosts annual meet
CAPTION: Sophomore Sofia Cardenas (left) and senior Maddy Cardenas are part of a driven group of Lady Dawgs. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Burnet High School powerlifting team begins the 2026 season by hosting its own Burnet Invitational at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15.
The meet will welcome Bastrop, Brady, Fredericksburg, Llano, Lampasas, Lago Vista, Salado and San Saba.
Head coach Zane Hicks, who is in his 10th season coaching powerlifting, is welcoming back a group of seasoned veterans to the boys and girls teams.
The boys are led by seniors Adler Goering, Alek Kassner, Kalvin Hubbard and Nathan Torres, juniors John Buster, Cody Dixon, Scott Edwards, Adam Heffington and William Horner and sophomore Oscar Baltazar, who are returners.
The girls team includes senior Maddy Cardenas, juniors Olivia Cook, Adyson Fonbuena and Lily Rygaard, and sophomore Sofia Cardenas, who are all returners.
Maddy Cardenas finished 10th in the 198-pound weight class at the state meet last season thanks to a 315-pound squat, a 155-pound bench press, and a 305-pound deadlift for a total of 775 pounds. She was the silver medalist in her weight class at regionals.
Rygaard was seventh in the 132-pound division of the state meet with a 290-pound squat, a 170-pound bench press, and a 255-pound deadlift for a total of 715 pounds. She is the regional champion in her weight class.
Hicks was direct when asked why athletes participate in this sport.
“(It) allows athletes who may not be the fastest or most athletic to still compete,” he said. “I’m excited for the season to start.”
The girls regional meet is Friday, Feb. 27, at Dublin High School and the state meet is Wednesday-Saturday, March 18-21, at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg.
The boys regional meet is Saturday, March 14, at Gatesville High School and the state meet is Friday and Saturday, March 27-28, at the Expo Center in Abilene.
CAPTION: Burnet senior Alek Kassner is another returner to powerlifting, who is looking for a better finish in 2026. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
