SOMERSET — The Trojan varsity boys powerlifting squad earned a third place finish overall at the recent Somerset Bulldogs’ meet. The Lady Trojans did not compete at the team level but did have three competitors place at the meet.

“The team responded well to the size of the meet. With over 400 lifters, it was the largest meet we have attended this year,” said coach Rudy Valerio.

For the Lady Trojans, Alexis Pelitire captured second place in the 165-pound class with a three- lift total of 740 pounds. The total weight is the accumulated best lifts in the dead lift, bench press and the squat. Ashley Olivarez was third in the 220-pound class with a 765-pound total. April Gonzales-Gutierrez placed fifth at 181 pounds with her total of 500 pounds.

The varsity boys were led by the first place finish of Tristan Pelitire in the 165-pound class. Pelitire lifted a whopping 1,425 pounds to far out-distance his nearest competitor. Second place in the 148-pound division went to Trojan Samuel Navarro with a 1,230 total. Jacob Flores also placed second with a three-lift total of 1,350 pounds in the 198-pound class. Dillon Torres placed third at 165 pounds with a 1,235-pound total. Cameron Ellerbee, competing in the super-heavyweight class, placed third with a total of 1,440 pounds. Hilario Luna earned fifth place at 132 pounds with his three-lift total of 960 pounds.

“The name of the game is to improve on your total each week, and we have done that for the most part. We will continue to work to get better each week, and I have no doubts that the kids will live up to that challenge,” Valerio said.

The Trojans competed in the Gregory-Portland meet on Saturday.