Six Lady Mustang powerlifters State bound


Carrizo Springs High School was filled with plenty of competitive young women from across South Texas last Saturday at the Region 5, Division III Powerlifting Meet. Seven Natalia Lady Mustangs competed and when all was said and done, would finish in 4th place out of 40+ teams in attendance.
What was even more impressive was, out of the seven Lady Mustangs who competed throughout the day, a total of six girls in blue were able to qualify for the State Championship which will be held March 17th in Waco.
“Our girls competed very well in Carrizo Springs,” Coach Ilyan Martinez said. “I was very proud of how well our girls competed and fought through some adversity. We hit personal bests in almost every lift and each of our girls hit their highest totals of the year.”
Natalia was able to finish in 4th as a team with 17 team points which trailed Region 5 Champion Edinburg Idea College Prep (25), Brooks Academy (23) and San Diego (22). As mentioned, Natalia did beat over 35+ other programs in the region including 5th place Bishop (15) and 6th place Hebbronville(15).
Leading the way on Saturday was Julianna “Juju” Morales who was able to finish in 2nd place in the 132 lb. weight class with a 835 lb. total. Her total included a 325 lb. squat, a 190 lb. bench-press and a 320 lb. deadlift.
The second and final Lady Mustang to pull in a 2nd place finish was Dezarea Perez who did so in the 148 lb. weight class. She used a 315 lb. squat, a 160 lb. bench press and a 355 lb. deadlift to account for an 830 lb. total.
Natalia also had a pair of 3rd place finishes which included Samantha Sanchez. Sam was able to finish in 3rd in her 97 lb. weight class with a 660 lb. total. Her total included a 265 lb. squat, a 125 lb. bench press and a 270 lb. deadlift.
Bryanna Perez also finished in 3rd place in her 105 lb. weight class thanks to a 685 lb. total. Her total included a 285 lb. squat, a 140 lb. bench press and a 260 lb. deadlift.
Anastasia Rodriguez was next in line, as she claimed 5th place in the 105 lb. weight class and used her qualifying total to clinch another trip to state. She used a 250 lb. squat, a 165 lb. bench press and a 250 lb. deadlift to account for her 685 lb. total.
Rounding out state qualifiers was Julia Owens who finished in 9th place in the 97 lb. weight class thanks to a 560 lb. qualifying total. Owens accounted for her total with a 215 lb. squat, a 100 lb. bench press and a 245 lb. deadlift.
Rounding out the hard working girls in blue was Gabrielle Santayana who worked hard and finished in 11th place in the 165 lb. weight class. She finished with a 790 lb. total, thanks to a 325 lb. squat, a 165 lb. bench press and a 300 lb. deadlift.
“What is most exciting, is the fact we know our girls have more left in the tank,” Coach Martinez said. “Four of our girls had their first regional experience and we knew our veterans Juju, Ana and Sammie would lead our team well and give their teammates confidence to showcase the work they have put in all season.”
The State Powerlifting Meet will be held March 17th in Waco and Natalia will be taking a school record six lifters to the meet on the girls side of things.
“These girls are hungry for more and we know we can count on them to bring their best,” Martinez said.
By Eric Smith