While many people headed to the coast during spring break to relax, Thorndale High School’s Landri Martinka went to Corpus Christi for a chance to win a state powerlifting championship.
In her third consecutive trip to state, Martinka bench pressed 130 pounds, squatted 235 and ended the day with a 275 in the dead lift for a total of 640 pounds. She finished sixth overall and set a personal record on squat. The THS junior improved her total lifting weight by 30 pounds when comparing her results to those of last year’s final meet.
“Getting to go to state again was such a blessing,” Martinka said. “My freshman year I qualified for state but the meet got canceled because of COVID and it showed me early that I shouldn’t take anything for granted.
“I love getting to compete at this level because it truly pushes you to your limits. Competing against the best people in the state is exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.”
Martinka also said it was nice to share the experience with friends, family and coaches.
THIS WEEK—On Saturday, three more area athletes get an opportunity to compete for a state title.
In Abilene, Gavin Aguilar and Kevin Liu will represent Rockdale. Aguilar won the 242-pound weight class with a 600-pound squat, 390 on bench press and a dead lift of 550 for a total of 1,540. The RHS senior beat the division runner-up by 60 pounds.
Liu came into the meet with the region’s sixth best total in the 148-pound weight class. The RHS junior was able improve his total by 80 pounds, having season highs in all three lifts. His total of 1,135 tied McGregor’s Nicky Nieves. But due to Liu weighing in at one pound less than Nieves, the Rockdale athlete won the tiebreaker and placed second at regionals, advancing to state.
Hayden Kylberg has a chance to defend his 2021 state title. The Thorndale Bulldog is the state’s top lifter in his division and has a total lifting weight 175 pounds higher than the state’s second-ranked competitor.
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