THE WOODLANDS – Local powerlifters are doing great this summer. Four Beeville lifters recently competed in a meet at the Legends Sports Complex and captured first place gold medals in their weight classes.

Adam Aleman (220 plus), John Gaona (185), Elizabeth Segovia (220 plus) and Tristan Pelitire (165) all secured first place medals at the meet that drew hundreds of competitors from around the state.

Pelitire has shown tremendous drive and improvement, instructors say. On March 10, the Trojan sophomore needed 485 on a final dead lift to qualify for the state powerlifting meet in Abilene. His total combined weight, which included bench press, dead lift and squat, needed to be 1,300 pounds to meet the state requirement for his weight class.

Tristan was devastated that day as he attempted his lift and, right before the judges were going to indicate he could put the weights down, the weights fell from his grip. That day, he was determined that he would only get better, they say.

Recently, on July 14, Pelitire competed in the Teen Equipped Powerlifting Meet at the Legends Sports Complex in The Woodlands. His total combined weight was 1,400 pounds from all three weights (540 on squat, 513 dead lift and 347 bench). That’s 100 pounds more than the state high school qualifying weight for his weight class.

Pelitire brought home a first place medal for his efforts. Tristan is determined to just keep on getting better and has another two years left in high school powerlifting. He is determined to win a state championship, they say. Pelitire is currently being trained by Luis Magnone and Chris Rangel and is training with other powerlifters from the local Ironhouse Gym.