Valenzuela heading to state

Valenzuela heading to state Brian Smith Wed, 03/13/2024 - 8:30 am   Landrie Valenzuela prepares for the state meet in powerlifting for the fourth straight year. Photo/Brian Smith Jacksboro High School senior Landrie Valenzuela heads into her fourth straight trip to the state powerlifting championships, ready to leave Frisco’s Comerica Center with a medal. She is currently tied for second in her division, but says the division is very competitive this year with girls from Millsap and City View also in the mix. She said she is focusing on hitting personal records in both the bench and dead lift this year at state. Valenzuela qualified for state Saturday, March 2 after a solid performance at the Region 6 3A-D2 Championship in Bells where she defended her title from a year ago. She placed first in her weight class, with a 315lb. squat, 185-lb. bench press, 355-lb. dead lift, and 855-lb. total. It came down to the wire on whether she would defend. “We were in the dead lift and I just did what my dad told me to do,” Valenzuela said. She began lifting when she was in 4th grade and determined she liked to work out. Valenzuela said her dad, Brian, has coached and worked with her ever since, creating a special and unique bond for the two. “It’s the only sport that we have together and it’s special to me,” she said. Valenzuela qualified for state her freshman year and has qualified for state the last two years despite a knee injury. She said she has done the same workout schedule since her freshman year.