SECOND IN STATE — Powerlifter Gizel Morales, center, is pictured with powerlifting coach George Luna, left, and assistant coach Michael Silvas, after receiving her second place medal at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Meet held at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi. (Photo courtesy of Glenda Morales) Who says girls can’t lift weights? Bishop junior Gizel Morales proved that girls can lift weights and succeed at it, earning a second place finish recently at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association state meet held on Friday, March 19 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi.

Morales competed against 13 other lifters in class 2A, bringing home a second place medal in the 220+ pound weight division.

This was her second year in a row to reach the state level, finishing seventh last year.

“Gizel is doing really good and has demonstrated great improvement, I expect her to win it all next year,” Bishop Badger Powerlifting Coach George Luna said.

Morales’ first lifting event of the state meet was the squat, lifting a maximum of 440 pounds to get the meet started on the right foot.

Her second lifting event proved to be a little more stressful, scratching on her first attempt on the bench.

Morales shook off the first attempt and lifted 235 pounds on her second attempt.

“I was nervous after scratching on my first lift attempt on the bench, but after putting up 235 pounds on the second attempt, I knew I would be okay,” Morales said.

She closed out the bench with a final maximum lift of 245 pounds to put her in contention for first after two events.

In the third and final event of the meet, Morales went on to max out at 355 pounds on the deadlift to give her a grand total of 1,040 pounds for the state meet and a second place finish.

“I am proud of how I performed at the state meet, I went head to head with Natalie Luna all season long and just fell short,” Morales said.

N. Luna, representing San Diego, was the eventual state champion in the 220+ division.

“Natalie had a strong deadlift to win this year, but she is a senior and I look forward to winning it all next year,” Morales said.

She went on to say that she will continue to work hard and improve on her lifting technique to get that coveted state championship.

Morales will be competing in the USA Powerlifting Women’s Nationals Meet on May 22-23 in Cleveland, Ohio.

A fundraiser (brisket plate including rice, beans, potato salad and dessert for $7) is planned for 11 a m. to 3 p m., April 11 at Bob’s Café located at 1006 E. 6th Street in Bishop, proceeds going to pay for travel expenses.