Fairfield High School seniors Landon Salinas and Jose Gutierrez medaled at the State Powerlifting Meet in Abilene on Friday, March 21.
“Anytime you can leave the State Powerlifting meet with hardware, it is a great accomplishment. These three guys made my last powerlifting meet to coach in one to remember,” Coach Kevin Childers said. “Jose finished his career with a state medal. Austin (Solis) got to experience the state meet, raised his total, which is hard to do at that meet. I expect him to go back next year and medal. For Landon to finish his career with a medal, the outstanding bench press plaque and now the Division 3 242 pound class bench press record holder at 580 pounds, what a career. I have been blessed to be able to work with great young men and women. I’m very grateful for the young people I have had the opportunity to coach.”
Salinas brought home the silver medal in the 242 division after winning it last year. He had a squat of 675 pounds, bench press of 580 pounds, and deadlift of 600 pounds for a total of 1,855 pounds.
“Winning second wasn’t exactly what I went in to do at the state meet. I wanted first, but after winning last year and knowing how it feels to be first it felt good seeing someone else with that gold medal and I hold the new state bench record so honestly it feels pretty good. Coach Childers has helped push me to realize I can accomplish way more than I think I could and has helped me become stronger both in the weight room and my mind set,” Salinas said. “There’s not much to say, but putting Fairfield on four new records this year feels great. I hope in the upcoming years someone else puts Fairfield on even more records and heck I hope someone beats my records.”
In the 114 class, Gutierrez grabbed fourth place overall with a squat of 350 pounds, bench press of 260 pounds, and deadlift of 400 pounds for a total of 1,010 pounds.
“Being able to compete at the state meet just means that I worked hard to get where I am from my first year to now and it paid off,” Gutierrez said. “Coach Childers has helped me become a better man and a better person helping me build character through a sport that requires you to have physical strength as well as a strong mind in order to win and be successful.”
Solis, a junior, also competed at the state meet in the 148 division. He had a squat of 500 pounds, bench press of 320 pounds, and deadlift of 405 pounds for a total of 1,225 pounds.
“Being able to compete at state this year meant a lot to me especially since I had failed to make it in the years prior,” Solis said. “My goal for powerlifting next year is to medal at the state meet.”
Fairfield’s Coach Max McGeary was also inducted into the THSPA Judges All of Fame.
Childers has been in education for 41 years and is retiring at the end of this school year. He has taught and coached in Fairfield for the past 18 years.
