SAN ANTONIO – A Southside High School junior recently came home with the state powerlifting championship title, after placing first in her division at the state tournament in Corpus Christi in March.
Marisol Munoz, 17, just began powerlifting last year as a sophomore, but beat out 32 other qualifiers in her weight class.
"You just have to stay focused, and if you miss a lift, don't worry about it," Munoz said. "Keep thinking about your next one, and just getting it."
At just under 5 feet tall and 105 pounds, Munoz won by squatting 310 pounds, benching 155 pounds, and deadlifting 305 pounds, for a combined total of 770 pounds.
Through it all, Munoz credits her great-grandfather with being her driving force and motivation.
"He just tells me to just keep going, to stay focused," Munoz said. "He just tells me if I don't place, it doesn't matter, just keep doing better, and you'll do good."
Wes Zunker, Munoz's powerlifting coach, said he isn't at all surprised with her achievements thus far.
"Just kept the competitive drive going all the way to this coming season, and that really helped keep her motivated in training to better herself leading into her junior year of the actual competition season," Zunker said.
Aside from being a successful athlete, Munoz is also a member of the National Honor Society, and says she has plans to someday become a dental hygienist.