This coming Saturday, a record six Natalia Lady Mustangs will compete in the State Powerlifting Championship in Waco. Natalia will be led by senior and four time state qualifier JuJu Morales and senior two time state qualifier Ana Rodriguez.
“I am really excited about the opportunity for our girls to go compete for a state title,” Coach Ilyan Martinez said. “It will take all of them doing their part to win it all and I feel we have the right group of girls to get that done.”
In the 97 ln. weight class, juniors Sam Sanchez and Julia Owens will compete. Entering the state meet, Sanchez ranks 4th in the state with her 660 lb. total trailing three talented lifters including #1 ranked Ashley Martinez of Edinburg Idea College Prep who has a 700 lb. total.
Owens enters the meet ranked #12 out of 18 lifters with her 560 lb. total.
In the 105 lb. weight class, sophomore Bryanna Perez will enter the meet ranked #5 in the state in her weight class thanks to a 685 lb. total. Tulia’s Heav’nly Noriega leads the way with a 720 lb. total.
Senior Anastasia Rodriguez currently ranks 9th in the same weight class with a665 lb. total.
Looking at the 132 lb. weight class, senior JuJu Morales enters the meet ranked #4 with her 835 lb. total. Van Alstyne’s Alyssa Hill leads the way with her 910 lb. total.
Last but not least is sophomore Dezarea Perez, who will compete in the 148 lb. weight class. She is currently ranked 7th in the state with her 830 lb. total.
Nallely Gutierrez from Brooks Academy leads this weight class as she enters #1 by a long shot with 1,070 lb. total.
“We have high expectations for this group and we look forward to the opportunity to build on the tradition of our program, district and community,” Martinez said.
Best of luck to the Lady Mustangs as they compete in the Extraco Center in Waco!
By Eric Smith