MFHS to begin powerlifting season

MARBLE FALLS — Powerlifting is not for the faint of heart. That is why to Marble Falls High School head coach Ricky Sparks, it draws athletes who are looking to feel better about themselves in the hopes of being more competitive for their other sports.

“It makes you feel good,” he said with a smile.

This season the Mustangs will have at least 12 boys and two girls representing the school.

And many of the boys are fighting for a chance to be on the varsity football team in 2011.

They include sophomores Nathan Short, Michael Buya and Travis Sparks, the coach’s son.

“We have a bunch of our offensive line,” the coach said. “Herman Ortiz, it’s a big group of kids. Some are our bigger kids, who are lifting and getting stronger. I think it’ll help us out. We have a lot of big kids who can move well.”

Ronnie Boatwright is the team’s senior leader, Ricky Sparks said, and will be counted on to provide valuable to experience and insight to the other lifters.

“He did real well last year,” he said. “He was one or two spots out of the regional power lifting meet last year. He’s gotten stronger this year.”

The Mustangs will travel to Brady Thursday.

Sparks said the goal is for the athletes to lift as much as they can and get a starting point so they can build toward the district meet, which works much like tennis, track and golf. It matters what is done at the district tournament or meet to advance to regionals.

“It’s a good place to show them how it’s done,” he said. “Some of our kids haven’t been to a district meet. We have to figure out what they’re going to do.”

Sparks believes the sport will be valuable in helping them in their other sports and looks forward to watching them get stronger throughout the season.

“It’s amazing how much the kids will jump from now to the middle of March when we’re close to the regional meet,” he said. “It makes me excited about it – kids getting stronger.”