Valencia Powerlifting Roster Tops 40, Meet Moved to Cafeteria

A growth spurt in Valencia powerlifting pushed the Jaguars to move Saturday's meet against Oak Grove from the ROTC room to the VHS cafeteria so a large crowd could watch. About 40 student-athletes now make up the roster, and the shift highlighted rising local interest in a program that is expanding beyond traditional athletic niches.

VHS coach Jose Lopez called the turnout "a good problem to have," noting that the program has added new participants each year. A large crowd watched Valencia powerlifter Keeley Farley compete in the squat during the meet, a scene captured by Mike Powers of the News-Bulletin. The event, held Jan. 22, was one of three home competitions on the Jaguars schedule and also served as a fundraiser for equipment and travel.

Coach Lopez emphasized mentorship within the roster, saying veteran lifters such as defending 259+ 4A state champion Jaden Martinez-Flowers help guide less experienced teammates. "We have them to tutor and mentor, along with myself, the new guys," he said. "It's really awesome." Lopez also framed the sport as accessible beyond traditional athletes, noting powerlifting attracts students who are "willing to grind, to work hard."

The booster club-backed fundraiser element signals both community backing and ongoing needs. "We have a booster club like all the other big sports," the coach said. "We're growing the sport, buying new equipment for the weight room." That reliance on boosters to purchase benches, plates, and safety gear raises questions about equitable school funding and the capacity of smaller programs to compete for district resources.

From a public health perspective, the program's growth can deliver benefits for student physical and mental well-being. Strength training supports muscular development and can reduce injury risk when athletes receive proper coaching and safe equipment. As participation increases, Valencia faces practical challenges: ensuring adequate space for training and competition, maintaining certified supervision, and securing modern equipment to prevent accidents.

Community impact goes beyond competition. Expanded rosters bring more students into supervised, structured activity that can reduce risky behavior and boost school attachment. However, the program's dependence on booster fundraising underscores broader policy choices about how schools allocate funds for facilities and staff across sports and extracurriculars.

For Valencia County residents, the Jaguars' packed cafeteria was a visible sign of the program's momentum. Upcoming home meets remain opportunities to support student-athletes and to press for district investment in safe equipment and coaching so that growth benefits all participants equitably.