Del Rio powerlifting Rams win Carrizo Springs meet; Queens third

Del Rio High School’s powerlifting squads opened the competitive stretch with a strong showing at a Carrizo Springs meet on Jan. 15, where the Rams boys captured first place and the Queens girls finished third. The outcomes give both teams momentum as the season moves into regional qualifying and the push toward state competition.

The meet highlighted depth across weight classes for the boys, whose combined totals outpaced other schools in the field, while the girls produced multiple top-three finishes to secure a podium spot. Individual lifters stepped onto the platform in early-season form, signaling that training cycles over the winter are translating into measurable progress. Coaches and athletes described the results as an encouraging baseline for the weeks ahead.

For Del Rio and Val Verde County residents, the meet matters beyond trophies. High school strength sports like powerlifting offer structured physical activity that supports bone and muscle development, builds resilience, and can reduce injury risk when training is supervised. Local athletic programs also serve as community hubs, bringing families together at meets and creating pathways for scholarship and leadership opportunities for students who might not access other extracurriculars.

Yet the success on the platform also highlights broader equity and resource questions. Access to proper coaching, safe weights and lifting platforms, transportation to meets in neighboring counties, and funds for travel and entry fees are persistent barriers for rural and lower-income districts. Sustained competitive success often depends on investments that extend beyond a coach’s volunteer hours — from school budgets to booster support and county-level policies that prioritize youth health and sports infrastructure.

Public-health stakeholders here should note the dual role of school athletics: promoting physical health while creating social supports that protect youth mental well-being. Strength programs that include certified instruction and injury-prevention education align with school health goals and can reduce strain on local clinics and emergency services over time.

As the powerlifting season unfolds, Del Rio’s teams will turn their attention to regional qualifiers and refining technique and strength. For parents, students and county leaders, continued community backing — from booster support to equitable funding decisions — will shape whether this early-season promise converts into state-level results and long-term health benefits for Val Verde County youth.