By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Port Isabel’s Jocelyn Padilla finally has her chance.
Padilla, a junior, is competing for the first time in powerlifting and advanced to the 2015 Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association state meet, which begins today at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi.
“I’ve been wanting to join since my freshman year, but my mom wouldn’t let me,” she said. “She didn’t want me to hurt myself, but now she’s OK with it. She’s proud of me.”
Padilla won the regional title with a total weight of 850 pounds. She had a 355 squat, a 150 bench and a 345 deadlift.
“I see a lot of potential in her, her work ethic is outstanding,” Port Isabel coach Joe Gonzalez said. “I see her being able to compete nationally.”
Gonzalez is in his first year at Port Isabel but has been a longtime powerlifting coach, including at Hidalgo and Raymondville. He has helped two girls and one boy win state titles, the latter also winning on the national level.
Padilla struggled at first with powerlifting but found it came easily for her. Even though she was one of the top lifters in her class all season, she was surprised to make it to state in her first season.
“Once I figured it out, I said, ‘Wow, I’m actually good at it,’” she said. “I’m really proud of myself because I didn’t think I would accomplish that.”
Gonzalez said Padilla is a natural powerlifter and has the drive to continue to be successful. He recalled what she said to him on the way to the regional meet, “Coach I didn’t come here to get (second).”
Port Isabel assistant Gesela Gonzalez said it’s been exciting to see how far Padilla has come from the beginning of the year.
“You have to continue to practice,” she said. “(You have to) want to keep getting better and stronger every week. Improve every week if you want to get to the regional and state levels.”
Padilla is ready and more confident than she was during the regional.
“Now that I’m here, I’m more confident in myself,” she said. “My goal is to get third place at least. I would be overwhelmed (to win), I don’t know what I would do.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.