By Todd Kleiboer
Communications Specialist
If you had asked Carina Mata while at Piner Middle School if powerlifting interested her, she might have hesitated.
“I did athletics back at Piner, and I was the weakest,” Mata, pictured left, said. “But for some reason, I wanted to try powerlifting because I thought it was a really cool sport.”
Four years later, as a senior, she’s heading to the THSWPA State Meet for the first time in Corpus Christi at the top of her weight class.
“I’m more confident going into State because I know I can hit that [max total],” Mata said. “And I know I can do a lot more.”
She’s not alone in going to State. Fellow seniors Jennifer Muniz and Lanie Fajerson have been Mata’s teammates since freshman year, and both qualified for State last year as well. Muniz placed fourth at State, and Fajerson placed fifth.
“This year I’m going for first place,” Muniz, pictured right, said. “I’ve been working hard, always being here in the weight room.”
The outlook certainly looks good for Muniz, who, like Mata, is at the top of her weight class. Muniz technically qualified for State three years in a row, but in 2020, the meet was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Fajerson joined powerlifting to follow in the footsteps of her sister, Blaze. She, along with Muniz and Mata, have always stuck together through Regionals, but this year, eight total qualified for Regionals.
“It was good to see more people go to Regionals this year,” Fajerson said. “More people had the chance to qualify for State.”
Lady Bearcat Powerlifting showed out well, placing third overall and qualifying four lifters for State overall. Harley Adkins, a sophomore, placed second in her weight class and is the other qualifier besides the senior trio.
“Everybody has a good shot to medal, maybe win a State Championship,” Powerlifting Coach Zach Skinner said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to place as a team at Regionals.”
Powerlifting is a mix between individual and team success, and lifters compete against themselves yet rely on teammates for support and motivation. Mata and Muniz credited their personal growth to the sport.
“A lot of this sport, I feel like, is mental,” Mata said. “Wherever you’re at, you have to fight through it.”
“It helps you to believe in yourself,” Muniz added. “It builds the confidence you have in yourself.”
To others who may be considering joining Sherman High School Powerlifting, the trio’s thoughts are just to dive in.
“I recommend it to anyone,” Fajerson said. “If it sparks your interest, just try it.”
The State Powerlifting Meet for March 16-19. Sherman competes on March 19.
Photo: Top Regional finishers were Jennifer Muniz (1st), Carina Mata (1st), Lanie Fajerson (2nd), Haley Gentry (3rd) and Harley Adkins (2nd).
