Jayda Hall // Sports Director
The powerlifting team collaborated with the Wellness and Recreational Center to host the “Strongest Panther Competition” where students displayed their strength in hopes of leaving victorious.
The competition, which was held on Jan. 26 in MMC’s weight room, and open to students and faculty, required participants to bench and squat with weights exceeding 100 pounds.
Austin Deleon, a junior studying electrical engineering, competed in the male student category and won.
“It’s pretty cool to win,” he said. “It’s my first time competing in an actual competition, so I didn’t really get a feel for how it was going to be. It’s a good experience.”
Deleon said he got in contact with the captain of the powerlifting team, Roman Fronzaglia, and that is how he found out about the competition. The junior finished strong despite only having a week to prepare.
Crystal Alfaro, a junior studying sports and fitness, also won the competition, participating as a female student.
“It felt amazing,” she said. “I had a great crowd, and I felt powerful, so it was fun.”
Alfaro said she had four weeks to prepare and get strong for the competition. The junior also added that she is looking to join the powerlifting team.
For more information about the powerlifting team, visit studentaffairs.fiu.edu.