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THSPA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

COWBOYS FINSH SECOND OVERALL; LOCALS SCHOOLS SEND 11 LIFTERS TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ABILENE

Frio and La Salle County will send 11 lifters to the Texas High School Powerlifting Association State Championships following regional action last weekend.

The three school’s in the area accounted for three regional champions and accounted for 25 competitors at the regional competition.

Cotulla’s Robert Sanchez won the regional title at 275 lbs. in Region 5, Division 3 at Bishop while Dilley’s Chris Medrano and Jonavyn Gonzalez earned regional championships for the Wolves.

The Cowboys were second overall as a team at the event while Dilley was fourth, a mere point away from finishing in the third place spot. Pearsall was 13th overall in a field of 30 teams at the Region 5 Division 2 event in Kingsville.

Sanchez, Kaleb Linares, Joseph Salazar, Aydan Martinez and Gerardo Gonzalez all advanced to the state meet for Cotulla.

“That is a record number of state qualifiers and the highest regional team finish in school history,” CHS Boys’ Powerlifting Coach Esteban Rodriguez said. “The boys have earned every bit of this success, consistently showing up at 5:30 a.m. for workouts from the start of the season.

“This in itself is a committment that requires self discipline, and accountability from these young student/athletes.”

The coach credits his team’s senior leadership for their success.

“We had a total of 24 lifters throughout the season and none of this would have been possible without the great leadership in seniors Kaleb Linares and Joseph Salazar,” he said. “These two, along with junior Robert Sanchez, have helped pave the way, to build this program to what it is today.

“We also have plenty of younger Cowboys that have bought in, and have flourished throughout the season (sophomores Gerardo Gonzalez, Victor Moreno, Aydan Martinez, Jose Gonzalez). The future is bright in Cotulla, and I’m glad to be apart of it.”

Sanchez posted a total lift of 1,675 lbs. He recorded lifts of 660 lbs. in the squat, 425 lbs. in the bench press and 590 lbs. in the deadlift. Linares was second at super heavyweight with a total lift of 1,730 lbs. He posted lifts of  770 lbs. in the squat, 460 lbs. in the bench press and 500 lbs. in the deadlift.

Salazar was also second in the 123-lb. weight class with a total lift of 1,025 lbs. His lifts included 375 lbs. in the squat, 265 lbs. in the bench press and 385 lbs. in the deadlift.

Aydan Martinez was third in the 165-lb. division with a total lift of 1,370 lbs. He tallied lifts of 530 lbs. in the squat, 330 lbs. in the bench press and 510 lbs. in the deadlift. Gonzalez was also fourth in the 198-lb. division with a total weight of 1,525 lbs. He posted lifts of 600 lbs. in the squat, 375 lbs. in the bench press and 550 lbs. in the deadlift. Both Martinez and Gonzalez advanced by meeting the state qualifying totals for their respective weight divisions.

Lifters who competed but did not advance to the state meet included Victor Moreno, eighth, superheavyweight, Jesus Partida, 11th, 165 lbs. and Marco Benavides, 12th, 148 lbs. Seasar Garcia also competed for the Cowboys.

Dilley has a pair of regional champions in Medrano and Gonzalez while Adrian Carrazco topped the state qualifying total in his weight class.

“I just want to say that I’m super proud of these three boys,” DHS Boys’ Powerlifting Head Coach Ismael Rocha said of his team’s effort. “After all of the hard work and dedication they have put into this season, they deserve this trip to Abilene.”

Medrano posted a first place lift of 1,135 lbs. in the 123-lb. weight class. He had lifts of 455 lbs. in the squat, 275 lbs. in the bench press and 405 lbs. in the deadlift.

Gonzalez recorded a first place total weight of 1,290 lbs. in the 148-lb. division. His lifts included 520 lbs. in the squat, 310 lbs. in the bench press and 460 lbs. in the deadlift.

Carrazco tallied a total lift of 1,500 lbs. and was fifth in the 242-lb. division. He had lifts of of 540 lbs. in the squat, 460 lbs. in the bench press and 500 lbs. in the deadlift.

Other lifters who competed but did not advance include Jonathan Eguia, seventh, 308-lb. division, Eric Rodriguez, eighth, 308-lb. division, Diego Torres, ninth, 181-lb. weight class, Anthony Guerra, 11th, 114-lb. division and Raul Molina at 308 lbs.

Of Pearsall’s nine regional qualifiers, three earned state qualifying bids but hitting the respective mark in their weight class. Gabriel Gutierrez, Kingston Martinez and Ariel Hernandez will all compete at the state meet.

“I’m really happy with the boys’ performances, there were a lot of personal bests recorded across the board,” PHS Boys’ Powerlifting Head Coach Jeremy Boatwright said. “I’m not sure of the last time Pearsall had nine regional qualifiers, which was the fourth most in the entire region in Division 2.

“A few young boys got some good experience and I’m excited to see Gabriel at state. He has a chance to compete for first and bring home a state title.”

Gutierrez posted a state qualifying total weight of 1,615 lbs. and was third in the 275-lb. division. He had lifts of 690 lbs. in the squat, 375 lbs. in the bench press and 550 lbs. in the deadlift.

Martinez recorded a total weight of 1,395 lbs. and was fourth in the 165-lb. division. His lifts included 540 lbs. in the squat, 315 lbs. in the bench press and 540 lbs. in the deadlift.

Hernandez was seventh at 181 lbs. with a total lift of 1,360 lbs. His lifts included 520 lbs. in the squat, 350 lbs. in the bench press and 490 lbs. in the deadlift.

Pearsall’s Joseph De La Rosa did not advance to the state meet but was named the Outstanding Lifter on the Bench Press after hitting the 500 lb. mark in that event. He was fifth in the 275-lb. weight class. Ryan Hughes was seventh at super heavyweight, Alejandro Briseno was ninth at 114 lbs., Mark Garcia was 11th at 114 lbs. and Marc Ramirez finished 12th at 114 lbs., as well. Robbie Longoria also competed for Pearsall at the event.

The THSPA State Championships will be held at the Taylor Expo Center in Abilene on March 24 and 25.