The pounding of weights and the grunts of dedication is something junior Jesus Gam is all too familiar with.

Gam’s father was a 1997 and 1998 powerlifting state champ and that influenced him into joining powerlifting three years ago.

“My dad’s a judge now and usually judges my meets,” he said. “He’ll give me pointers on things that could help.”

Junior Brandon Garza also encourages Gam to do better.

“We’re always trying to compete with each other,” Gam said.

Not only does powerlifting teach friendly competition but also to never give up and always finish the fight.

“It’s when you’re in the middle of a lift and almost have it, you just have to keep pushing through it,” he said.

Two weeks ago at the Nocona meet, he broke his own personal records from last year.

“I lifted 350 on squat, 185 on bench and 335 on deadlift, 30 pounds better than my usual,” Gam said.

To get there he had to train when not in season.

“I worked out all summer and gained 20 pounds of muscle training for this year,” he said.

Training wasn’t only for powerlifting but also for all of the other sports and activities he’s involved in.

“I play baseball, and powerlifting helps strengthen my legs and makes me a better player overall,” Gam said.

This Saturday, Feb. 21, Gam competes in Kennedale in the 148-weight class.

“I enjoy the adrenaline rush I get during a meet that makes me push through,” Gam said.

After the Kennedale meet, the regional meet is March 7 in Chico.

“Jesus has a good chance to make it to the regional meet in Chico in early March,” powerlifting coach Ty Lang said. “He’s a great competitor and gives it his all every week.”

Gam’s coaches believe he has the power to advance to the state meet, March 28.

“Jesus works very hard,” Lang said. “Though he has an uphill battle to get to the state meet, he definitely has a fighter’s chance.”