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 year’s 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 even more in the weight room.”
Mendez is grateful to coach Kristal Haralson, who Mendez credits with her improvements.
“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. I really just have to thank her. I wouldn’t 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’.”
Mendez’s determination paid off at the State Meet where she hit 460 on squat, 225 on bench and 385 on deadlift. Her total of 1,070 pounds was enough for a third-place finish.
On the boy’s side, the Rattlers saw two of their athletes qualify for the State Meet in seniors Zach Decker and Ezequiel ‘Zeke’ Davila.