Gatesville High powerlifters recognized as five qualify for state meet

Alyssa Saxon, Marin Segraves, Bella Mondragon, Draven Henderson and Kaden Coffman gave Gatesville High School five spots at the state powerlifting meet, with the district recognizing the group during the March 23 Gatesville ISD School Board meeting. Gatesville is sending three girls and two boys, a strong showing that reflects how steady the program has become under Coach Jason Moffett.

Saxon, a junior and three-year letterman, entered state as the reigning regional champion in her weight class and did so while also competing as one of Gatesville High’s cheerleaders. Segraves, a senior and four-year letterman, qualified for regionals in three of her four seasons and advanced this year after placing third and posting a 725-pound total in the 123-pound class. Mondragon, another senior and four-year letterman, reached regionals all four years, finished second this season and moved on with a 775-pound total in the 132-pound class.

Henderson, a sophomore, is heading to state for the first time. He also competes in football, basketball, track and band. Coffman, a senior and two-year letterman, also plays football, basketball and track. Moffett said he has leaned heavily on seniors Mondragon, Segraves and Coffman to help lead and mentor younger lifters, giving the program a clear sense of continuity from one class to the next.

Superintendent Dr. Barrett Pollard said Moffett’s team has been successful for years, and the recognition brought together Athletic Director Rickey Phillips, high school principal Liz Shoaf and Coach Jose Aguirre alongside Pollard, Moffett and the five qualifiers. The state berth was more than a line on a results sheet for Gatesville; it was another public sign that the weight room has become one of the school’s most reliable pipelines for student success.

The 2026 Texas High School Powerlifting Association state championships were scheduled for March 27 and March 28 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene, with Division 2, 3, 4 and Unequipped lifting on March 27 and Division 1 and the 5/6A split on March 28. THSPA materials listed a $35 per-lifter entry fee. Gatesville’s latest group also fit into a longer pattern, after earlier seasons produced state qualifiers such as Zach Bryant and L.J. Hall, with Bryant once winning his regional weight class with a 1,770-pound total.