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Redemption: Mendez Ends Career On Her Terms
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.
No Days Off: Crosby's Hernandez is the Ultimate Competitor
SPARE TIME IS OFTEN A LUXURY THAT TOP TIER HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES CANNOT AFFORD.
In the case of Crosby’s three-sport competitor, senior Xandra Hernandez, she doesn’t see that as a bad thing.
Hernandez represents Crosby year-round, beginning with swim and powerlifting in the Winter and wraps up with track and field in the Spring.
“Competing in consecutive sports keeps me in shape and keeps me busy,” she said. “This ensures that I’m not just sitting around all the time, which is great for me because I prefer to have something to do.”
The sport in which Hernandez is most accomplished is undoubtedly powerlifting. Last year was her first on the Crosby team, and all she did was become the 5A-DI State Champion in the 105-weight class.
Her journey to that point began long before then.
“Growing up, I was always a strong swimmer,” said Hernandez. “I started to compete in both swimming and track at the same time when I was in seventh grade. That’s when I kind of started to venture out and found power lifting during my junior year. From there, I realized how much I enjoyed it and I eventually won State. That decision really paid off.”
Hernandez competed in the State Tournament yet again this Winter. She concluded the event in the No. 8 spot, but her status as a champion still remains to be a remarkable feat considering she can lift nearly three times her weight.
So, what does the future hold for the Crosby senior?
“I’m considering joining the Army,” Hernandez said. “I don’t want to hop into something so early, but it also feeds into my tendency to keep myself busy. So, I was thinking I could potentially join the military, get some work in and take care of college at the same time while getting paid. Further down the line, I want to be a game warden or be in the canine-unit for the police. Those are some hard jobs to get into, but nothing good comes easy. Perhaps getting some experience in the military can help me get into that field quicker.”
Although she has her sights set on her future, Hernandez acknowledged what her time spent as a Crosby Cougar meant to her.
“To me, the best things about Crosby are the people,” she said. “My main sports with my teammates have always been my favorite. It’s my coaches, it’s my friends, it’s the environment here. I never used to really like school, but all of those aspects helped me out and made me realize how special this time has been.”