Marble Falls powerlifting adds Stronger Things title
CAPTION: Zane Matlock sends a message with this squat as he begins the Stronger Things meet Jan. 17. Photos by Martelle Ludecke/Luedecke Photography
The Marble Falls High School powerlifting team’s Stronger Things Invitational Jan. 17 couldn’t have gone better for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs won the equipped team championship with 49 points, more than doubling runners-up Blanco and Killeen Chaparrall, which each earned 26 points.
That’s two meet championships this season and the Mustangs have competed in only two meets so far.
“I’m just really proud of all the guys,” head coach Karl “Beef” Bielfeldt said. “I think everybody had (new personal records).”
Marble Falls’ scoring came from earning five gold medals and two silver medals.
They were paced by 2025 state qualifiers Arnulfo Salazar, who won the 198-pound weight division by lifting a total weight of 1,575 pounds, and David Dominguez, who was first in the 148-pound weight division with a total of 1,200 pounds. Other gold medalists include Tyler McIntyre in the 114-pound weight division, who lifted 850 total pounds, Josue Fonseca in the 165-pound weight division who recorded 1,220 pounds, and Zane Matlock in the 308-pound weight division with 965 pounds.
“Nulfo is just continuing his trend of winning stuff so hopefully he can put it together and carry it on to a good performance at state,” Bielfeldt said.
Daniel Dominguez and Keaton Proctor finished second in their weight classes. Daniel Dominguez lifted a total of 1,140 pounds while competing in the 132-pound weight class and Proctor recorded a total lifted weight of 1,305 pounds while competing in the 242-pound weight class.
Newcomer Jesus Rodriguez was the only Mustang to compete in the unequipped meet, which means these athletes lift “raw” with minimal supportive gear and no supportive suits or bench shirts.
Rodriguez, who lifted a total of 1,235 pounds, earned the medal for Top Lifter Unequipped Heavy Platform, which basically means he lifted the most weight while weighing the last at weigh-in. This individual recognition uses a formula to determine the winner.
“He stood out,” the coach said.
He was equally proud of Lady Mustangs Montserrat Fregoso and Caydence Bielfeldt, his daughter.
Fregoso took gold with a total lifted weight of 700 pounds and Caydence Bielfeldt earned a silver medal by lifting 580 pounds. Both Lady Mustangs are ranked in the top three in their weight classes in the region.
“Caydence had to overcome two snafus on bench because she tried to use a new shirt we hadn’t worked with,” the coach said. “So we switched back to the old one and got that lift in then she had a personal record on her dead lift. The good thing on the girls’ side is they already have qualifying totals for both regionals and state.”
This marked the first time Marble Falls hosted a meet. Bielfeldt pointed out an event like that doesn’t happen without numerous people giving up part of their day to work different tables, admission and man each station. Weigh-in began at 6:30 a.m. and athletes boarded buses to return home by 3 p.m. Volunteers cleaned up and left around 3:30 p.m.
“For our first meet, it ran really smooth,” Bielfeldt said. “I know we got a lot of compliments from the other high school coaches – they really enjoyed their time. For our first meet, we did a really good job and something we can set up for years to come. And so I think if we can build a community involvement around it, it’ll turn out to be something that’ll be around for quite awhile.”
Marble Falls will compete at the Lampasas Badger Powerlifting meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22.
“My goal for the lifters is to set (new personal records) every week,” Bielfeldt said. “I’m always going to cut, especially the ones that I know on the guys’ side who have qualifying totals, to get to state. And they’re going to sit in the top 12. We kind of play a little hide-and-go-seek with what they can actually do. You never really want to show everything they’re capable of until you get to state. Otherwise people start planning for you.”
RESULTS
Boys (squat-bench press-dead lift–total)
Equipped
114 – 1, Tyler McIntyre, 285-150-415–850; 132 – 2, Daniel Dominguez, 455-185-500–1,140; 148 – 1, David Dominguez, 495-240-465–1,200; 165 – 1, Josue Fonseca, 500-275-445–1,220; 198 – 1, Arnulfo Salazar, 555-420-600 – 1,575, 7, Brandon Seely, 265-185-315–765; 242 – 2, Keaton Proctor, 500-305-500–1,305, 5, Xavier Soza, 405-295-445–1,145, 6, Travis Skinner, 390-270-440–1,100; 308 – 1, Zane Matlock, 320-240-405–965; Super heavyweights – 3, Jaxson Bales, 430-225-390–1,045
Unequipped
198 – 1, Jesus Rodriguez, 460-320-455–1,235
Girls (squat-bench press-dead lift–total)
Equipped
132 – 2, Caydence Bielfeldt, 220-120-240–580; 242 – 1, Montserrat Fregoso, 300-140-260–700
CAPTION: Montserrat Fregoso nails this lift en route to earning a score and winning at gold medal at the Stronger Things meet Jan. 17. Photo by Martelle Ludecke/Luedecke Photography
