Girls state powerlifting meet gets underway in Edinburg

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Texas High School Women's Powerlifting Association (THSWPA) State Meet is being held in the Valley for the first-time ever.

Hundreds off girls from all across Texas are making their way to Bert Ogden Arena this week for the meet.

The competition got underway with the 1A/2A and 6A meets on the first day of action.

Los Fresnos, which had won nine straight titles, came up short this time around.

The Falcons finished in eighth place in the 6A meet.

Six Valley teams finished in the top ten in 6A. San Benito led the way for the RGV, finishing in fourth place.

Five Valley powerlifters won individual state titles on the first day of competition.

"Honestly, I never thought I was going to be a state champ," said San Benito's Leandra Machuca, who took first place in the 132 lb. division. "I've done this since freshman year. Last year I came short and I got second but this year I came back stronger. I wanted it more than anything. So it's a really good feeling, really good accomplishment."

"It's pretty exciting I had no clue like I could even place like I was so nervous," said Harlingen's Ava Morrow, who took first place in the 123 lb. division. "Last year I had got tenth and I was like I'm just thinking to get maybe ninth and higher. Like that's all I wanted."

La Villa took seventh place in the 1A/2A competition.

The state meet will come to an end on Saturday.