Barr wins title at state powerlifting meet

The Gonzales Apache boy's powerlifting team sent four Apaches to the THSPA Division 2 State Championships on Friday, March 22.

The Apaches returned with a state champion in senior Jessiah Barr, who won the championship in the 148-pound weight class on the last lift of the day, a deadlift of 575 pounds.

Barr had been to state the previous two years, finishing 10th in 2022 and state runner-up in 2023. However, he would not be denied in 2024, hitting totals of 575 in the squat, 370 in the bench, and the aforementioned state championship winning deadlift of 575, totaling 1,520 pounds.

The Apaches also brought back some more hardware with fourth-place winning Omar Borjon, who made his first appearance at the THSPA State Championships as a junior. Borjon competed in the 308-pound division, hitting personal records in all three lifts, with a 700 squat, 530 bench press, and 530 on deadlift, totaling 1,765 pounds. Borjon will look to return to the State Championships next season as a senior.

Along with Barr and Borjon, seniors Landon Holub and Kaden DeLeon competed in some stacked weight divisions (275 for Holub & 165 for DeLeon). Holub finished just outside medal contention, with a sixth-place finish, while DeLeon finished 11th in the biggest division at the championships (31).

Holub hit 710 on squat, 465 on bench press, and 495 on deadlift, totaling 1,670 pounds. DeLeon squatted 550, benched 420, and deadlifted 480, for a total of 1,450.

Head Coach Keith Cubit said about the Apaches going to state: "It's really great to see Gonzales represented at the highest competition for powerlifting in the state of Texas. DeLeon, Holub, and Borjon were determined to make it to state and they did just that. Putting in extra work afterschool in the weight room and in outside gyms. They are Apaches that are growing greatness and leaving their mark."

Head Coach Keith Cubit said about 148 State Champion Jessiah Barr: "Jessiah (Barr) showed us what true grit, determination, and dedication will get you. Barr told me last year after he got second that he was coming back to win it all in the 148 class and he did what he set out to do."