Freshmen Power Lifters Aim to Fill Void for Lobos

New talent emerges as Escalante loses state champions

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:46pm

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and competitive energy of a high school power lifting competition, with overlapping planes of muscular bodies, barbells, and weight plates.New talent emerges as Escalante high school power lifting team looks to defend its state championship legacy.Escalante Today

The Escalante Lobos high school power lifting team has lost its state championship power lifters, but coach Earl Martinez is optimistic that two incoming freshmen could step up and fill that void as the team heads into the state championships.

Why it matters

Power lifting is a point of pride for the Escalante community, and the Lobos have historically been a dominant force in the state. Maintaining that success is important for the school's athletic program and community spirit.

The details

The Lobos have lost their top power lifters from last year's championship team, but coach Earl Martinez believes two freshmen newcomers have the potential to step up and lead the team this season. The coach is excited about the new talent and believes they can help the Lobos remain competitive at the state level.

  • The Lobos are heading into the state power lifting championships.

The players

Earl Martinez

The head coach of the Escalante Lobos power lifting team.

Escalante Lobos

The high school power lifting team from Escalante, Utah that has historically been a dominant force in the state championships.

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What they’re saying

“I'm pretty excited because we got a couple of kids in so that's always good.”

— Earl Martinez, Head Coach

The takeaway

The Escalante Lobos power lifting team faces the challenge of replacing their state champion lifters, but coach Earl Martinez is optimistic that two talented freshmen can step up and help the team maintain its competitive edge at the state championships.