Two Advance to State While Hall Sets Record

• Johnny Guerrero attempts a deadlift. PHOTOS BY DEIRDRE ALEXANDER
• Hunter Hall attempts a squat.

Many high schools including Yorktown compete in powerlifting through the Texas High School Powerlifting Association or THSPA. The Wildcats had three boys advance to regionals in Kingsville. Justin Guerrero, Johnathon Guerrero, and Hunter Hall competed in Region 5 Division 4.

Justin Guerrero finished sixth out of twelve lifters in the 220lb weight class with an overall total of 1,190. He lifted 550 lbs in squat, 250 lbs in bench, and 390 lbs in deadlift.

Johnathon Guerrero participated in the 132 lb weight division and qualified for state with his second place finish. With an overall total of 1080 lbs he fell short of first place by 70 lbs.

Hall is also advancing to state. His tremendous performance won him the title of Regional Champion of the SHW division.

He had a record breaking performance. All participants get three lifts in each of the following three categories: squat, bench, and deadlift. Hall started the meet as good as one could have hoped, breaking the regional record with his first attempt at squat. His second attempt improved the record to 675. He attempted 700 lbs on his final chance and although he was able to get the weight up, it was not counted due to a technicality. However, Hall was not finished in breaking records. During the bench division, Hall started off with another tremendous performance breaking repeating what he had done in the squat division. Hall broke the regional record during his first attempt. He bettered the record on his second lift to 450 lbs. Yet again, Hall was not through bashing records. In the deadlift, he lifted 535 lbs, unfortunately thirty pounds short of the record. However, the three categories gave Hall an overall record breaking total of 1660 lbs. Hall finished as the Super Heavyweight Division Regional Champion in a field of six lifters and will advance to the State Powerlifting meet on March 22-23 in Abilene, Texas.

After their performance, Coach Mata stated, “Hunter Halls and Johnathan Guerreros hard work is paying off. After missing the State Powerlifting (meet) last year they have been working out aggressively this year. With Hunter Hall becoming a Regional Champion and breaking 5 Regional Records in the process shows his commitment this season. The same goes for Johnathan Guerrero who finished in 2nd place which also qualified him for the State Powerlifting Meet as well. They are some very strong young men and are very disciplined in powerlifting.

It’s been my honor to coach these young men and anticipate great things for them as I have literally watched them turn into the athletes they have become.”