Powerhouses sometimes come in smaller packages. Quitman High School recently sent two of these powerhouses to the boys’ and girls’ state meets and both brought back medals and set new records.

Senior Addison Marcee competed at the girls meet in Frisco on March 14 and senior Carlos Flores competed at the boys’ meet in Abilene on March 22.  Marcee placed 5th in her weight class and Flores placed 2nd in his respective class. 

From the start of the season, Marcee’s goal was to break records at the regional level if not the state meet.

Marcee said, “From the beginning of the season I have known that I would have the opportunity to break the regional record for 114 weight class bench press. I had broken it all throughout the year so once I got to regionals, I knew I had it down.”

Marcee proceeded to earn 2nd place overall in her weight class at regionals, setting a new bench record of 205 lbs. and lifting a total weight of 700 lbs. At state competition, Marcee earned 5th place and the “Top Light Weight Bench” award with a personal record of 210 lbs. Marcee said she hopes her record holds for “a few years.” 

This year was Carlos’ first year to compete in the 123 lbs. weight class. Flores said his plan all year was to break bench and squat records at regional and state levels.

“Unfortunately, I went through a couple minor injuries that ended up setting me back. I was already going into regionals thinking I would break and set a new bench record, so my main focus was on the state bench record,” said Flores.

Flores broke the state record his first time at the bench with a weight of 305 lbs. He then broke his own new state record when he benched again for 315 lbs.

“I was fortunate enough to break it not once, but twice at state and it is most definitely a great accomplishment I am very proud of!”  

Athletic Director Shane Webber said, “All I can say is that I am super proud of these two young people. Their dedication to the sport from the early morning workouts to workouts after school and still competing in others sports as well just shows their competitive drive.”

Webber added that “for both Carlos and Addie to set regional and state records is impressive and proves that once you set that goal and you stay focused on that goal, you can achieve anything with focus, dedication, and hard work.” Webber also said that one of the “cool things” about Marcee’s and Flores’ performances was that their accomplishments “are also a representation of the work Coach Kern and Coach Shaw put in to help them reach their goal.”

Webber is proud of the two and proud that Quitman High School will be represented in the THSPA and THWPA record books until someone breaks their records. 

Marcee has no current plans to compete after high school but values her training and plans to continue strength training after she graduates.

Flores hopes to continue his powerlifting career at UT San Antonio in the fall where he hopes to join their powerlifting program.

He said that UTSA has “one of the best powerlifting teams in the US, so I hope to continue building a name and legacy for myself as well as possibly breaking some records and maybe even being a national champion.”