Nabbing State Silver
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THSPA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Gonzalez finishes second at 123 lbs., three teammates finish in top ten at meet.
(Left Photo) Sophomore Jose Gonzalez took second in the 123-lb. division to earn a state runner-up medal at the THSPA State Championships last week in Abilene. (Right Photo) Five members of the Cotulla Cowboys powerlifting team qualified for the state meet with three earning top ten finishes at the event.
Jose Gonzalez was a state runner-up at 123 lbs. and three other lifters earned top ten finishes at the 2026 Texas High School Powerlifting Association Class 3A, Division 3 State Championship Meet on Friday, March 27 in Abilene.
“The Cowboys delivered strong performances across highly competitive weight classes,” CHS Powerlifting Coach Katherine Galindo-Garcia said. “Since the beginning of the season, the Cotulla Cowboys have put in countless hours refining their technique, sharpening their form, building their strength, and—above all—developing the mental toughness required to compete against the best-of-the-best.”
In his division, which featured 18 competitors, sophomore Jose Gonzalez, a two-time regional and state qualifier, finished second overall with a total lift of 1,110 lbs.
He posted lifts of 425 lbs. in the squat, 250 lbs. in the bench press and 435 lbs. in the deadlift.
Sophomore Alec Leija, a two-time regional qualifier making his first state appearance, competed in a deep 165-pound class of 22 lifters, placing sixth with a total weight of 1,450 pounds.
His lifts included 560 lbs. in the squat, 390 lbs. in the bench press and 500 lbs. in the deadlift.
Senior Ricardo Ruiz, a two-time regional and state qualifier, followed in the 181-pound division, one of the largest fields with 27 competitors, and also earned a sixth place finish. He posted a total lift of 1,480 lbs. with lifts of 605 lbs. in the squat, 375 lbs. in the bench press and 500 lbs. in the deadlift.
In the super heavyweight division, which included 14 lifters, sophomore Jorge Martinez finished seventh with a total weight of 1,640 lbs. Martinez is a two-time regional qualifier and first-time state competitor. He posted lifts of 645 lbs. in the squat, 465 lbs. in the bench press and 530 lbs. in the deadlift.
Junior Deric Aldaco, a two-time regional and state qualifier, competed in a stacked 220-lb. weight class of 28 competitors. He finished 14th with a total lift of 1,530 lbs. His lifts included a 625-lb. squat, 405-lb. bench press and 500-lb. deadlift.
With four state qualifying lifters returning next season, the future looks bright for Cotulla.
The team was 20th in the team standings in a field of 45 teams in attendance and only two points shy of finishing in the top ten.
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