REDEMPTION: Ezra Mendez reaches State after last years set back

Going into this season, San Marcos senior Powerlifter Ezra Mendez had one word to describe what this year was all about for her: Redemption. In last years Regional meet she failed to get a lift in on deadlift and missed out on a chance at state. The ending to her junior year both humbled and refocused her heading into her senior year.

"It kept me humble," said Mendez. "So coming into this year I've been working on myself and working hard in the weight room to better myself this year."

Helping her in the weight room has been Coach Kristal Haralson, who Mendez credits with her improvement on Deadlift.

"She's been the one that has really helped with my improvement in deadlift," says Mendez. "Coach K (Haralson) told me that's not what is going to hurt you this time. So we just worked really hard and I really just have to thank her because I don't think I would have been able to make it without her coaching."

The results paid off this year in the Regional Meet where she took home first place in the 220 pound weight class with lifts of 420 pounds on the squat, 230 pounds on bench and 365 on deadlift.

"I knew I was going to state once I pulled my opening Deadlift," Mendez said with a smile. "And as soon as I got it I just looked at my family and smiled. We knew it was go time."

And now as Wednesday draws near Mendez knows not only what to expect from her competition physically, but mentally as well.

"It's good to know where I stand compared to my competition, but I do not focus too much on that," says Mendez. "But there is definitely some gamesmanship that happens. Maybe you want to go a little safe to get a lift in, but maybe you try and sneak attack on them and get a really big lift to get in their head."

Ezra knows the weight she wants to lift as well, feeling confident that if she can hit those marks she has a chance to take home gold.

"I know I'm going to go for a PR in squat," says Mendez. "Then if I can just hit all my goals and hit the numbers I want to hit, I feel like I have a shot of being up there on that podium"

And as to what fuels her on meet days?

"Donuts," Mendez laughs "It's my go to and gives me that sugar I need."

Ezra will be competing for the state tile Wednesday March 15th starting at 1:30PM at the Comerica Center in Frisco Texas