Goddard, Roswell and NMMI powerlifting state championship preview | Local Sports

Eight boys will be competing for the Coyotes, followed by their weight class: Returning state champions Matthew Castillo and Amarante “Bubba” Marrujo in the 123 and 132, senior Carlos Duran in the 148, junior Luis Godoy in 165, junior Jaime Nevarez in 181, senior Santiago Ibarra in 198, sophomore Daniel Borrego and senior Bryce Sanchez, both at 242 and sophomore Hector Fuentez at 275. This year, Sanchez had already put up some state records and one of their best lifters of the Coyotes’ roster.

Two Lady Coyotes are in the state championship: senior Nayeli Olvera at 165 and junior Brissia Hernandez at 198. Last year, the Coyotes placed third overall in the 5A Boys, taking home seven placements. Coyotes Powerlifting Assistant Coach Albert Hernandez said that some of the athletes leaped the last dual against Goddard.

“They did excellent,” Hernandez said. “Some of them got 40 to 50-pound jumps, most got 30-pound jump on each life. This year, we have more athletes that ranked pretty high. Overall, we have individuals who can be in the top three right now- I just feel like the kids have done the work to overcome what is going to happen at state, so we are just going out there to give it our all.”

The Rockets compete in the Class 4A, and five lifters qualify for the state championship. Three boys in senior Luis Ortiz at 198, sophomore Freddie…