The IHS Power Lifting Team has a strong showing in Rice

Barry Byers Posted January 25, 2010 2:00pm Italy High School Powerlifting Team

Image: Kaitlyn Bales — Kaytlyn Bales competes in the squat as coach Craig Bales kneels down to make sure she drops down far enough. — Kaitlyn Bales — Kaytlyn Bales competes in the squat as coach Craig Bales kneels down to make sure she drops down far enough. (Jenny Bales)

Four members of the IHS Power Lifting Team traveled to Rice on Saturday, January 16 to compete in their first meet of the season. Kaytlyn Bales, Chase Hamilton, Adrian Reed and Omar Estrada represented Italy during the competition.

Athletic director Craig Bales stated, “It was a very successful meet for Team Italy. Everyone competed in a tough class and each of our lifters improved on their personal bests by several pounds.”

Kaytlyn Bales placed 1st in her class and improved on her personal best of 645 lbs. last season by 35 lbs., lifting a total of 680 lbs. in Rice on Saturday. That’s 65 lbs. more than her total at the State meet last season where she finished with 615 lbs. overall.

Congratulations to Kaytlyn, Chase, Adrian and Omar for setting the bar even higher than last year!

Squat time — Kaytlyn Bales gets comfortable under the bar in the squat cage during the Rice powerlifting meet. (Jenny Bales)

Preparing to squat — Kaytlyn Bales gets ready to execute her lift. (Jenny Bales)

Muscle men — Jacob Lopez, Adrian Reed and Chase Hamilton check out the competition. (Jenny Bales)

Chase gets set — Chase Hamilton prepares to squat at the Rice powerlifting meet. (Jenny Bales)

Chase goes for it — Chase Hamilton takes on the squat cage at the Rice powerlifting meet. (Jenny Bales)

Adrian Reed — Adrian helps to pump up the Italy powerlifting program. (Jenny Bales)

Chase bench-presses — Chase Hamilton raises the bar. (Jenny Bales)

Awaiting the results — Coach Craig Bales and his daughter Kaytlyn Bales await the official results. (Jenny Bales)

Kaytlyn digs in — Kaytlyn Bales prepares to execute her dead lift. (Jenny Bales)

On her way up — Almost….Kaytlyn Bales is own her way to setting a personal best. (Jenny Bales)

Getting refreshed — Adrian Reed, Chase Hamilton and Kaytlyn Bales try to stay refreshed during down time between lifts. (Jenny Bales)

Omar Estrada — Omar gets set to compete in the dead lift.

1st in Class — First in class and #1 in our hearts. Kaytlyn Bales dominates at the powerlifting meet in Rice lifting 680 lbs. total for the day. (Jenny Bales)

Team Italy — Chase Hamilton, Adrian Reed, Kaytlyn Bales and Omar Estrada represented the Italy Powerlifting Team at the Rice meet. (Jenny Bales)