Sports
Lady Wolves stumble in first district game
By Bill Kelly
The Dalhart Texan
The Dalhart Lady Wolves began softball play in District 1-3A on Monday March 20, traveling to Amarillo to go up against River Road. The Lady Cats used big offensive bursts in the second and fourth innings to beat Dalhart in five innings as the 10-run mercy rule was invoked.
Addison Ramirez led off for the Lady Wolves in the top of the first inning, reaching first base after the third strike couldn’t be handled by the catcher. The next hitter ended up grounding into a double play however, erasing Ramirez as she tried to reach second base. Lili Orozco followed with a single, but the next batter hit a fly ball for an out to end Dalhart’s half of the inning. Pitcher Sydni Hyer and the Dalhart defense retired the River Road hitters in order in the bottom of the inning, with two straight strikeouts, and the game was scoreless after one inning.
The Dalhart batters were retired in order in the top of the second. River Road was able to score five runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead. The Lady Wolves were retired in order again in the top of the third, and then the Lady Cats added three more runs in their half of the inning. River Road held an 8-0 lead after three innings.
After Dalhart’s batters were retired in order again in the top of the fourth, River Road added five more runs in the bottom of the inning to stretch the lead to 13 runs. Hyer then led off the top of the fifth inning by being hit by a pitch, and Katelynn Hickey followed with a walk to give the Lady Wolves two runners.
During the next atbat, Hyer and Hickey executed a double-steal to advance to third and second respectively. The two runners repeated the play after a couple of more pitches, with Hyer stealing home for a run and Hickey advancing to third before Dalhart’s batter eventually struck out. The next two hitters also struck out, stranding Hickey at third, and River Road won the game 13-1 in five innings as the 10-run mercy rule was invoked. Orozco had Dalhart’s only hit, and Hyer had the only run.
The Lady Wolves play at Bushland tomorrow, with the varsity starting at noon and the JV following. Dalhart plays Canadian at home on Tuesday March 28.
Ben Turner, Kason Holt compete at State powerlifting tomorrow
By Bill Kelly
The Dalhart Texan
Two Dalhart High powerlifters, Ben Turner and Kason Holt, will compete at the State Powerlifting Meet in Abilene tomorrow, March 25 after qualifying for State at the Regional meet a couple of weeks ago. They left Thursday March 23 after a sendoff at the high school for the trip to Abilene to give them time to weigh in and get ready for the meet.
Turner made it to State by winning first place in the Super Heavy Weight division at Regional. Turner lifted a total of 1,510 pounds, 150 more than his closest competitor. He cleared 640 pounds in the squat, 340 in the bench press, and 530 pounds in the deadlift.
Holt placed second at Regional to qualify for the State meet, lifting a total of 1,395 pounds, just 45 pounds behind first place. He cleared 585 in the squat, 300 pounds in the bench press, and 510 pounds in the deadlift.
There are three different lifts that the athletes have to perform at a meet, the squat, bench press and deadlift, and both Turner and Holt have the same favorite. “Out of the three lifts, squat is definitely my favorite one,” Turner said. “It is the first lift of the meet, so it’s the lift when I have the most energy. I also believe it is the most difficult lift so it’s really satisfying to get green lights for.”
Holt prefers the same lift. “Squat is definitely my favorite because I think it’s the most difficult lift.” Holt said. “I really enjoy all the lifts and don’t have a least favorite.” Holt added.
Both lifters expressed gratitude for their coaches. My coaches have put a lot of effort into me and I don’t want to let them down so I push myself,” Holt said. He mentioned a former coach in particular. “Coach [Anthony] Mariscal really instilled the love of powerlifting in me and taught me how to have the self-discipline to come this far.”
Turner is also thankful for what his coaches have done for him. “I really appreciate my coaches, and the dedication they have to helping the team grow and excel,” Turner said. “I appreciate Coach [Jeff] Metcalf and Coach [Kiel] Kitchens waking up early every morning to open the doors to the weight room, so we could go in and practice. I also want to highlight Coach Mariscal, because he was the powerlifting coach who took me to state last year, which gave me confidence for this year. And outside of powerlifting, even if they’re not involved, all my other coaches tell me good job and that they hope I do well in my lifts.”
Turner and Holt also mentioned family. “I owe a ton to my parents,” Turner said. “They come to all of my meets and payed for my gym membership when I first started lifting.”
Holt talked about his overall support from his family. “My family supports me by cheering me on at everything I do,” Holt said. “When I qualified for state I was excited to have another meet but I was also disappointed in myself for coming in second at regionals. My parents always have told me ‘I have no quit’ and I believe that is a reason why I’m good at this.”
Turner also mentioned his fellow lifters. “I appreciate my teammates wrapping me, no matter how much they complain, and the ones that always support me and want the best for me,” Turner said. He also feels like he’s ready for this next left. “I feel qualified for state, and believe I’ve earned the right to go to it,” Turner said. “I’ve put in a ton of time in the gym over the past two years and have worked hard to get to where I am right now.”
Holt is a senior, so this will be his final year in powerlifting. Turner is just a junior, so there is a very good chance that he will return to State next year as well.
