The Natalia Mustangs competed at the Region 5 Powerlifting Championships in Bishop last Friday. Natalia went in with hopes of another regional title, but unfortunately left finishing 6th place as a team out of 40+ teams in attendance.
“I was very excited for the opportunity to defend our regional championship with so many lifters, but the day didn’t go as we expected and we fell short of our goal,” Coach Ilyan Martinez said.
Natalia’s Manuel Padilla led the way, as he was the lone Mustangs to advance to the State Championships when all was said and done.
Padilla was able to win the 132 lb. weight class, as he used a 480 lb. squat, a 245 lb. bench press and a 430 lb. dead lift which accounted for his 1,155 lb. total.
“Manny became a two time regional champion and he has qualified to attend Abilene and have a shot at repeating as a state champion in a tough weight class,” Martinez said.
Other finishes: 132 lb. weight class: Ryan Juarez 6th place-990 lb. total, Evy Curiel 9th place- 860 lb. total. 148 lb. weight class: Diego Zapata 7th place-1,085 lb. total. 181 lb. weight class: Joel Rios 10th place-1,135 lb. total. 198 lb. weight class: Chance Lamb 7th place- 1,170 lb. total. 242 lb. weight class: Uriel Arellano 5th place-1,420 lb. total. 275 lb. weight class: Paul Billalobos 6th place-1,405 lb. total. Heavy Weight Class: Victor Cruz 3rd place- 570 lb. squat, 375 lb. bench press, 545 lb. dead lift-1,490 lb. total.
Natalia finished with 11 points trailing Falfurrias (22), Lyford (17), Bishop (17), San Diego (14) and Karnes City (11).
“We just didn’t quite get it done and we didn’t live up to the expectations of our program,” Martinez said. “I am really grateful for the seniors that represented our program for the past four years and we will miss their leadership. The silver lining to this year is we only had three out of 11 lifters that are seniors, so the future is bright with so many young ones in the program.”
Next week we will have a look at where Padilla stands in the state in his weight class.
By Eric Smith