Category: Natalia Mustangs & Lady Mustangs

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Head Coach Kendra Spangler and her Natalia Cross Country teams get the start to their 2023 season this Saturday in Castroville.

Continue reading “Natalia XC begins 2023 season Saturday in Castroville”

The Natalia Lady Mustangs defeated Fox Tech in two games with scores of 25-4 and 25-12 to finish up the Arabian Roundup Tourney on Saturday, August 19.
Stat Leaders: Kills: Anaya Jones 13, Angelina Solis 6. Assists: Yahdira Lujan 20. Digs: Angelina Solis 7, Abigail Fulton 6. Aces: Abigail Fulton 7, Angelina Solis 3.
Defeat Ingleside 2-0

Continue reading “Lady Mustangs defeat Fox Tech to finish up strong in Arabian Roundup”

Eric Smith
Staff Writer
The Natalia Mustangs and the Jourdanton Indians will kick-off the 2023 Football season this Friday in Natalia which will be one of seven home games for the Stangs this year. Looking back over the last five years, the Tribe holds a 3-2 edge winning the 2022 campaign 48-20. J-Town and Natalia wrapped up their final scrimmage(s) last week and both Head Coaches are excited to kick-off the season.

Continue reading “Mustangs set for opener vs. J-Town”

Last Friday, March 10th, the Natalia Lady Mustangs took on the Poteet Aggies. The Lady Mustangs took the lead late and defeated Poteet 5-3 on Friday. The Mustangs trailed 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Marina Billalobos homered on a 1-0 count, scoring three runs. Billalobos led in hits as well, driving in runs on a single in the first, a double in the third, and a home run in the fifth. On the mound Billalobos surrendered three runs on eight hits over seven innings, striking out eight and walking one. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Hits: Skylene Gallegos-1, Saenz-1, Billalobos-3, Laque-1. Runs: Jimenez-2, Skylene Gallegos-1, Seovia-1, Billalobos-1.
Fielding: Outs: Jimenez-8, Skylene Gallegos-1, Saenz-2, Syrene GAllegos-1, Figueroa-3, Segovia-2, Billalobos-2, Laque-2.
Pitching: Billalobos: Hits Allowed-8, Walks-1, Strikeouts-8.
The Mustangs had one match over the break. An early lead helped Natalia defeat D’Hanis 12-6 on Tuesday, March 14th. The girls scored on a single by Araceley Segovia in the first inning and a groundout by Syrene Gallegos in the second inning. The base paths were crowded in this high-scoring game. The Mustangs pulled away for good with two runs in the second inning. In the second Valerie Saenz reached on a dropped third strike and Gallegos grounded out, scoring one run. The Mustangs notched three runs in the sixth inning. Marina Billalobos, Segovia, and Isabel Laque all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning. Billalobos pitched the Mustangs to victory. The pitcher went seven innings, allowing six runs on 13 hits, striking out five and walking one. Laque went deep in the third inning, totaling one home run for the day. The Mustangs scattered ten hits in the game. Segovia, Billalobos, Figueroa, and Laque each collected two hits to lead the Natalia Lady Mustangs in hits. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Hits: Ramirez-1, Skylene Gallegos-1, Figueroa-2, Segovia-2, Billalobos-2, Laque-2. Runs: Ramirez-1, Jimenez-2, Skylene Gallegos-1, Saenz-1, Figueroa-1, Segovia-3, Billalobos-2, Laque-1.
Fielding: Assists: Jimenez-1, Segovia-1, Billalobos-1. Outs: Jimenez-6, Saenz-5, Syrene Gallegos-1, Segovia-3, Billalobos-5, Laque-1.
Pitching: Billalobos: Hits Allowed-13, Walks-1, Strikeouts: 5.
The two wins have put the Lady Mustangs at a 4-1 district record. They will play their rival Lytle Lady Pirates Tuesday, March 21st and Crystal City Friday, March 24th, at home. Make sure to come out and cheer them on. Congratulations and good luck Mustangs!

Last Thursday, March 16th, Natalia’s Lady Mustangs traveled to the THSWPA State Powerlifting Championship held in Frisco, Texas to compete. Three out of the six Lady Mustangs placed in the state meet. As a team the Lady Mustangs placed third overall. Araceley Segovia placed third in her weight class, Isabel Laque placed fourth in her weight class, and Jiselle Olivarez is now a three time state champion! Way to compete ladies and congratulations on a successful as well as impressive season as it has come to an end.
Jiselle Gonzales, first place, squat 500, bench 305. dead lift 375, total 1180.
Araceley Segovia, third place, squat 435, bench 275, dead lift 355, total 1065.
Isabel Laque, fourth place, squat 295, bench 180, dead lift 315, total 790.
Dominique Banda, eighth place, squat 275, bench 120, dead lift 295, total 690.
Abigail Fulton, tenth place, squat 285, bench 135, dead lift 255, total 675.
Ashley Aguirre, Disqualified, squat 335, bench 145, dead lift 325, total 0.

Last Tuesday, March 7th, the Natalia Lady Mustangs defeated Luling 10-0! The Natalia Lady Mustangs racked up eight hits for the day. Threats in the batter’s box for the match include Isabel Laque,Kody Blanquiz, Kira Jimenez, and Marina Billalobos. Leading the Mustangs in hits were Jimenez with 3, and Blanquiz with 2. Blanquiz and Billalobos worked together to pitch a shut-out. Blanquiz lasted four and two-thirds innings, allowing seven hits and zero runs while striking out four and walking one. Billalobos lasted one-third of an inning, allowing zero hits and zero runs while walking zero. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Singles: Blanquiz-2, Vera-1, Jimenez-1, Gallegos-1, Laque-1. Doubles: Jimenez-2. Runs: Blanquiz-2, Vera-1, Ramirez-2, Figueroa-2, Segovia-1, Billalobos-2.
Fielding: Assists: Segovia-1. Outs: Blanquiz-3, Jimenez-4, Skylene Gallegos-1, Syrene Gallegos-2, Abigail Figueroa-1, Segovia-3, Laque-1.
Pitching: Blanquiz: Hits Allowed-7, Walks-1, Strikeouts-4. Billalobos: Hits Allowed-0, Walks-0, Strikeouts-0.
Friday, March 10th, the Mustangs took on the Poteet Aggies. The Lady Mustangs were down 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Billalobos brought in three runs with a home run, winning the match 5-3! Billalobos pitched all seven innings as well. The Mustang surrendered three runs on eight hits over seven innings, striking out eight and walking one. Threats in the batter’s box were Billalobos with 3 hits , Gallegos with 1, Saenz with 1, and Laque with 1. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Singles: Skylene Gallegos-1, Valerie Saenz-1, Marina Billalobos-1. Doubles: Billalobos-1, Isabel Laque-1. Home Runs: Billalobos-1. Runs: Kira Jimenez-2, Gallegos-1, Araceley Segovia-1, Billalobos-1.
Fielding: Outs: Jimenez-8, Skylene Gallegos-1, Saenz-2, Syrene Gallegos-1, Abigail Figueroa-3, Segovia-2, Billalobos-2, Laque-2.
Pitching: Billalobos: Hits Allowed- 8, Walks- 1, Strikeouts- 8.

The Natalia Lady Mustangs captured their fourth Regional Power Lifting Championship March 4th. Three lifters will be advancing to the State Meet to be hosted on March 16 in Frisco, Texas, Dominique Banda, Ashley Aguirre, Araceley Segovia, Jiselle Olivarez, Abigail Fulton , and Isabel Laque.
Senior Dominique Banda : State Qualifier 114lb Weight Class Squat – 285 Bench – 140 Dead – 255 Total – 680 Senior Dominique Banda earned herself a trip back to the state meet by placing 3rd in her weight class. In the past season, Dom suffered a back injury… she approached this year with one mission, to earn herself a trip back to the state meet. She did just that! We are excited for Dom and look forward to watching her compete in her final meet of her career.
Senior Jiselle Olivarez : State Qualifier 220lb Weight Class Squat – 500 Bench – 250 Dead – 395 Total – 1145 Senior Jiselle Olivarez punched her ticket to the state meet placing 1st in her weight class at the regional meet. This is the third year in a row that Jiselle has been a regional champion. Jiselle will look to earn her 3rd state title at the state meet in Frisco.

Sophomore Abigail Fulton State Qualifier 123lb Weight Class Squat – 260 Bench – 135 Dead – 255 Total – 650 Sophomore Abigail Fulton earned a spot in the state meet by finishing 2nd in her weight class at the regional meet. Abigail competed very well but just fell short of the 1st place spot. This will be Abigail’s first me qualifying for the state meet.

Junior Isabel Laque, State Qualifier, 259 Weight Class
Freshman Ashley Aguirre, State Qualifier, 165 Weight Class. Freshman Ashley Aguirre came out strong her freshman year representing Natalia well. We will never forget when she was just a 7th grader and so eager to lift for us and just excited to be a part of it, now she is getting that opportunity! Ashley qualified for State in the 165s with a 330 Squat 140 bench and 325 deadlift finishing with a total of 795lbs. Ashley finished 2nd in her weight class and hit the qualifying total for state. We look forward to watching Ashley compete this Thursday at the state meet! 

Junior Araceley Segovia, State Qualifier, 198 Weight Class. Junior Araceley Segovia had a great regional meet, returning home as a 198lb Regional Champion. Celey secured her title with a 465 squat, 165 bench and a 345 deadlift for a total of 975lbs. She has done a great job leading the way this season. Entering the state meet she is sitting 2nd in her weight class. We look forward to Thursday and the opportunity for her to go compete for a state title!
Senior Sam Lopez: 105lb Weight Class Squat – 215 Bench – 90 Dead – 185 Total – 490 Senior Samantha Lopez completed her power lifting career on Saturday at Regional, finishing 4th in her weight class. This was Sam’s first trip to regional and we’re excited she was able to place and earn herself a medal! Sam has been a huge part of our success this season, doing her part and placing in every meet to earn us team points. We are going to miss Sam and wish her the best of luck in her future!

Senior Ava Sanchez : 114lb Weight Class Squat – 245 Bench – 1130 Dead – 250 Total – 625 Ava Sanchez competed in the final meet of her career finishing 5th place at the regional meet. This wasn’t an easy task as she faced a potential bomb out on bench. She showed us the true competitor she is and was able to complete her last and final attempt. We couldn’t be any more proud of her fight! Ava has been someone we are able to depend on, someone who always does her part and isn’t afraid to hold others accountable when needed. With Ava being a senior, we are going to miss her commitment and leadership in the weight room and in the classroom!

Senior Rebekah Sanchez : 123lb Weight Class Squat – 240 Bench – 90 Dead – 250 Total – 580 Senior Rebekah Snachez completed her power lifting career on Saturday at Regional, finishing 6th in her weight class. Bekah just barely missed a medal by 5lbs! She has worked hard all season long helping lead the team as a senior. We are thankful for her commitment and leadership the last 4 years!
Senior Marina Billalobos: 181lb Weight Class Squat – 285 Bench – 130 Dead – 295 Total – 710 Senior Marina Billalobos completed her power lifting career on Saturday at the Regional Meet in Robstown, TX finishing 7th place. Marina had a great power lifting career, qualifying for regional two years in a row. We will miss Marina’s leadership and willingness to do whatever was best for the team!
Senior Valerie Saenz: 181lb Weight Class Squat – 290 Bench – 140 Dead – 260 Total – 690 Senior Valerie Saenz came out for her senior year. Having taken some me off, she did a great job competing this season and earning herself a trip to the regional meet where she placed 9th in her weight class. Val showed up on Saturday ready to compete and finished her career with a personal best in squat and dead lift. We will miss Val’s leadership and competiveness!
The chart features the rest of the Regional Championship team, all under classmen.

Natalia Lady Mustang Dominique Banda 114lb Weight Class STATE QUALIFIER.