Last weekend, the Texas State Powerlifting Championships were held in Abilene. Incoming Rice Defensive Tackle Alex Lowry won the Superheavyweight Division and in the process was the meet's top lifter with a total combined lift total of 1920 pounds.
Lifting on the same platform all day was Refugio's Dylan Klare, who also took home the gold, winning the 242 pound class. Klare's totals were 405 pounds in the bench press, 610 pounds in the squat, and 520 pounds in the dead lift.
Seems the two had more to talk about than just moving iron though - the subject of Rice Football came up and both discovered they have something more than strength in common.
The school, and its football program, are something both hold in high regard.
I visited with Dylan earlier this week and he shared his thoughts on his meeting with Alex, and on recruiting.
"Yeah, I got a chance to meet Alex at the State Meet. He's nice but he's a real strong guy. We got a chance to hang out for awhile. We talked a lot about Rice."
I also asked Klare about recruiting.
"I'm hearing from just about everybody who's got a football program. I get mail from somebody everyday." Dylan said with a laugh.
Asked who was at the top he had this to say.
"Rice is probably my favorite school right now. I like them a lot. Academics are real important for me and the team is doing really well too. I went to camp there last year and met the coaching staff. I like everything about it."
Klare is an exceptional prospect. He is currently 6-3 240 pounds and has been timed in the 40 yard dash at 4.63 seconds. He also boasts a 31" vertical. And to say the least, he is strong.
The two-way standout has played on the varsity at Refugio since he was a freshman. He was named 31-2A Newcomer of the Year after that season. Klare was voted 2A All-State the last two years. Last season he was named District 30-2A Most Valuable Player; playing both ways. Klare is clear on what he would like to play in college though.
"I'm a Defensive End. I would like to play Defense in college no question."
Due to his size, strength and the position he's being recruited for, Klare has drawn comparisons to a current Owl - Rice's strongest player Scott Solomon.
I mentioned the comparison to Dylan.
"That's a compliment. Solomon is a good player."
Dylan is currently holding a Rice offer but also feels Colorado is about to extend a scholarship offer as well.
He admitted that Rice was his favorite, but also said he wasn't in a big rush to hurry a decision. He plans to visit Rice in the next couple of weeks.
"I'm coming up to the campus with my parents in the next couple of weeks to visit with the coaches. I'll probably go to their camp too."
I asked Klare what his strengths as a player were, he responded.
"I think I'm a good combination of strength and speed. I'm also a player that can think on his feet."
No doubt about that.
Dylan will have no trouble qualifying for Rice academically - he's ranked #1 in his class at Refugio High School.
We'll keep you updated right here as we stay close to Klare's recruitment in the coming weeks. We'll have another update on him when he comes in for his visit...