Rito Flores, Jr. Signs Letter of Intent with University of Texas Longhorns Powerlifting, Will Represent USA at World Powerlifting Championship
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2024
Eagle Pass High School Senior, Rito Flores, Jr., signed a letter of intent to compete for the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns Powerlifting Team at a signing ceremony held on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the Eagle Pass High School gymnasium in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Flores was introduced to the sport of powerlifting by his uncle, Daniel Flores, when he was an eighth grader—changing his young life forever. He picked up the sport and trained individually at local gyms since Eagle Pass High School does not have powerlifting as one of its official school sports. He has incrementally grown in the sport and has risen to be among the best in the United States in his category and weight class. He receives online powerlifting coaching from Don Kline of Pennsylvania.
Flores won first place at the Powerlifting America Bench Press Nationals held on January 27, 2024 in Austin, Texas, competing in the Men’s Raw Sub-Junior 74kg category, qualifying for the United States (USA) National Team. Most recently, he placed second in the Powerlifting America High School Nationals held on April 20, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
As a new member of the USA Powerlifting Team, Flores will now compete for and represent the United States in the upcoming International Powerlifting Federation World Classic and Equipped Bench Press Championship on May 23, 2024 in Austin, Texas in his 74 kg weight category. He will be competing against the world’s best powerlifters from such countries as Poland, Japan, Great Britain, Canada, France, Georgia, South Africa, Kazakhstan, and other countries.
Flores is a member of the National Honor Society, an honors graduate of Eagle Pass High School, and has been admitted to the University of Texas at Austin Pre-Pharmacy Program. He looks forward to attending the University of Texas and training with its Longhorns Powerlifting Team while competing for the Longhorns and representing the United States at future international powerlifting meets. He continues to get stronger and set personal records every meet he competes in. The future is bright for this young man who is proud to be from Eagle Pass.
Rito Flores, Jr. is the son of Rito Flores and Marvelia Flores of Eagle Pass, Texas. He was accompanied by his parents, family, classmates, friends, and well-wishers at the May 16 letter signing ceremony at Eagle Pass High School.
