By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsonline.com

Bowie High School’s Cristian Martinez claimed the 132-pound weight class title at the Conference 3A Region 6 meet on Friday at Chico High School.
Martinez’ teammate, Saul Landaverde, placed second in the 275-pound weight division behind stout Wichita Falls City View lifter Ronnie Killen.
For their efforts, both Martinez and Landaverde have qualified for state a second time.
“Cristian had a stranglehold on the region all season,” said Bowie strength-and-conditioning coordinator Monte Sewell. “He kept gaining at every meet.”
Bowie head powerlifting coach Quentin Berend also was pleased with the performance of these two state qualifiers.
“They both had a great meet, and they had personal records in most every lift,” Berend said. “Saul pulled a 700-pound squat, and he keeps getting better.”
The Texas High School Powerlifting Association state meet will take place on April 2 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. Read more, and see complete standings, in the March 9 Bowie News.

Bowie’s Cristian Martinez competes in the bench press during the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Conference 3A Region 6 meet at Chico High School on Friday. Martinez qualified for state in the 132-pound division. (News photo by Dani Blackburn)