The Natalia Mustangs had a strong showing at the Region 5 Division III Powerlifting Meet in Bishop last week. The Mustangs used 22 team points to finish in 2nd place as a team out of 40+ teams in attendance. Natalia senior Manny Padilla also picked up a regional title in the 132 lb. weight class, as he is one of five Mustangs who are state bound.
“We are extremely proud of our Mustang Powerlifting team for their 2nd place finish at Regional,” Coach Kasey Crowther said. “Among the eight lifters, six medaled and five are state bound.”
Manny Padilla led the way for the Stangs, as he finished in 1st place in his 132 lb. weight class. He used a 475 lb. squat, a 250 lb. bench press and a 475 lb. dead lift to account for a 1,200 lb. total.
Natalia’s Michael Martinez was able to claim the silver in his 220 lb. weight class thanks to a 1,450 lb. total. His total included a 610 lb. squat, a 2905 lb. bench press and a 545 lb. dead lift.
Uriel Arellano was the final Mustang to claim a silver medal, as he finished in 2nd place in his 242 lb. weight class with a 1,500 lb. total. His total included a 550 lb. squat, a 400 lb. bench press and a 550 lb. dead lift.
Paul Billalobos was able to claim 3rd place in the 275 lb. weight class thanks to a 1,495 lb. total. His total included a 555 lb. squat, 360 lb. bench press and a 580 dead lift.
Jeremiah Gomez was able to finish in 5th placed in his 220 lb. weight class courtesy of a 1,280 lb. total. His total included a 500 lb. squat, a 275 lb. bench press and a 505 lb. dead lift.
Adrian Vasquez also claimed 5th place in the 148 lb. weight class with a 1,200 lb. total. His total included a 490 lb. squat, a 225 lb./ bench press and a 485 lb. dead lift.
Ryan Juarez finished in 6th place in the 132 lb. weight class with a 1,050 lb. total. His total included a 405 lb. squat, a 235 lb. bench press and a 410 lb. dead lift.
Last but not least, Dustin Soto finished in 7th place in the 242 lb. weight class with a 1,235 lb. total. This total included a 500 lb. squat, a 270 lb. bench press and a 465 lb. dead lift.
“These boys showed what they were made of at this meet,” Crowther said. “We had some adversity to start the meet and they could have shut down, but they didn’t they rose to the occasion and represented our program well. This is another great representation of the championship culture we are building here in Natalia and we are excited to see how we match up against the best in the state.”
Natalia finished in 2nd place behind Regional Champion San Diego who finished with 30 team points. Coming in 3rd place was Falfurrias followed by Edinburg Idea College Prep, Skidmore-Tynan and Mathis. There were 35+ other schools following the top five.
Padilla, Vasquez, Arellano and Martinez have qualified for the state meet and Billalobos will attend as an alternate.
We will have a state preview in next week’s Devine News.
By Eric Smith
