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3A DIVISION 3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sanchez, Gonzalez win state titles, Cowboys finish second overall at state meet.

Cotulla finished as state runners up and crowned a pair of state champions in Robert Sanchez and Gerardo Gonzalez following competition at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Division 3 State Meet on March 22 in Abilene.
Competing in Division 3, the Cowboys were a mere three points away from repeating as state champions, coming in just behind Edinburg Idea College Prep in a field of over 90 schools in attendance. The Cowboys earned the team title in 2023.
“The Puro Cowboy Powerlifting team had an outstanding finish to our 2024 season,” CHS Head Coach Yomeida De La Pena said. “We are incredibly proud of what these exceptional young men have accomplished. Thank you for all the hard work and early mornings you put in this season.”
Sanchez, who was a state champion in 2023, earned a title in the 308-lb. division this year with a total lift of 1,865 lbs. He set a new state record in the bench press, lifting 525 lbs. He posted a squat of 760 lbs. and a deadlift of 580 lbs. He was named first-team Academic All-State and was a Division 3 scholarship recipient as well.

Cotulla’s (L-R) Gerardo Gonzalez and Robert Sanchez earned state titles in their respective weight classes at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Class 3A, Division 3 State Championship on Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23 in Abilene. The pair also helped their team finish second overall in the team standings at the meet. (See related story and photos on Sports, Page 12).

Gonzalez earned his title at 198 lbs. with a total lift of 1,765 lbs., a new state record. He also earned the Heavyweight Division’s Outstanding Squat, posting a lift of 700 lbs. in that event. Gonzalez tallied a bench press of 500 lbs. and a deadlift of 565 lbs.
Victor Moreno was fourth in the 308-lb. division with a total lift of 1,640 lbs. He posted lifts of 600 lbs. in the squat, 465 lbs. in the bench press and 575 lbs. in the deadlift.
Marcos Benavidez was eighth in the 148-lb. division with a total weight of 1,320 lbs. He posted a lift of 485 lbs. in the squat, 350 lbs. in the bench press and 485 lbs. in the deadlift.
Jesus Partida was 11th at 165 lbs. with a total weight of 1,345 lbs. His lifts included 540 lbs. in the squat, 320 lbs. in the bench press and 485 lbs. in the deadlift. “I want to thank Isaac Cerda, Fidel Alvarez and Jevin Gonzalez for helping their team accomplish their goals at state,” the coach said. “Their hard work and dedication to their teammates is second to none. Thank you to our Cowboy family, administrators, support staff and to our Cotulla and Encinal communities for their time and devotion towards our student-athletes; we are grateful for you all.”

Cotulla’s Robert Sanchez (Fifth from left) and Gerardo Gonzalez (Sixth from left) won state titles in their divisions to help lead the Cowboys to a second place finish at the THSPA Division 3 State Championships in Abilene. Pictured are (Back Row, L-R) Head Coach Yomeida de la Pena, Mark de la Pena, Jesus Partida, Victor Moreno, Robert Sanchez III, Gerardo Gonzalez, Marco Benavidez, Assistant Coach Caleb Luna; (Front Row, L-R) Jevin Gonzalez, Fidel Alvarez and Isaac Cerda. (Courtesy photo)