By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
Senior powerlifter Julianna Barrera ended her Port Isabel powerlifting career in style.
On Friday, Barrera competed in the 132-pound weight division and brought home the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Class 4A state title with a lift of 425 pounds in the squat.
“I just knew I had to do what I had already done to get the job done,” Barrera said. “I was excited and relieved when I saw that I won. I made my town proud and my coaches proud. It was a great way to end my career as a Lady Tarpon.”
Barrera was no stranger to the state meet. She made the state meet in her sophomore year, and in her junior year she placed third at state in the 165 weight class. Barrera made a change in her weight class heading into her senior year.
“She worked so hard to get here, and all year long she dominated,” powerlifting coach Johnathan Bodden said. “She went up there and took care of business. We are all proud of her. She has been a great leader for us and leads by example, and helps lead the other girls.”
Barrera looked back to her sophomore year, when she entered the state meet like a deer in the headlights. She used her work and experience to bring home a state title.
“ When I made it my sophomore year, I was just in awe of how big the meet was and I didn’t do so well. I finished second to last. Now I knew what to expect, and knowing how they judge I was prepared this year.”
Port Isabel wasn’t the only school whose athletes brought home gold. Also in 4A, Raymondville’s Karina Martinez, who competed in the 259 weight class, squatted 550 pounds, benched 260 and deadlifted 395 for a total of 1,205 pounds.
The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons’ girls team swept the Class 6A competition this past weekend in Waco, bringing home its fifth straight state title.
Los Fresnos finished first with 38 points. Second place was Wylie with 34 points, followed by McAllen High (third, 24 points), Kyle Lehman (fourth, 22) and Donna North (fifth, 10).
Niomi Gamez, who competed in the 97 weight division squatted 305 and lifted 140 in the bench press and 285 in the deadlift, finishing at 730. Luisa Cruz competed in the 132 division and squatted 325, benched 190 and deadlifted 386, finishing at 900.
Layla Carrizalez competed in the 181 weight class, and she squatted 440, lifted 270 in the bench press and deadlifted 345 pounds for a total of 1,055. Rheanna Gonzales, in the 220 weight class, squatted 505 and lifted 200 in the bench and 465 on the deadlift, for an 1,170 total.
“I am extremely proud of the girls, they went out there and did what they were suppose to do,” said power lifting coach Jaime Vela. “They girls deserve it and they worked incredibly hard and put themselves in a position to win it all for a fifth straight year.”
In Class 5A, Brownsville Lopez’s Julieann Delgado competed in the 259 weight division. She squatted 495 and lifted 340 on the bench and 425 deadlift, finishing at 1,260.