H.M. King High School hosted the Brahma Bash powerlifting meet this past Saturday.

Senior Nathan Westbrook finished second in the 220 pound division with a combined total of 1,450 pounds hoisted in the bench press, dead lift and squat maneuvers. Westbrook has qualified for the Region V meet to be held in Weslaco on March 13. His chances of advancing to state (in Abilene on March 27) are excellent should Westbrook be able to duplicate his 1,450 total at regionals.

Sophomore Javi Rojas (165 pound class) and Senior Steven Chapa (242 pound class) has also qualified for region as alternates.

“Making it to state would mean quite a bit, it has been one of my goals in high school,” Westbrook said. “This is an individual sport where I only have myself to give credit to or blame, so it would be a great personal achievement to make it.”

Westbrook envisioned making the big meet early this season.

“I kind of knew after this season’s first meet.” Westbrook said. “I hit the 1,400 total after finishing out last year at 1,200. It was a bit of a surprise when I got back into the powerlifting gear and realized how much stronger I had gotten since last year.”

The H.M. King senior has plenty of confidence fueling him.

“I am feeling pretty good,” Westbrook said. “Now I have to get the exact same total at region and I should be headed to state. At region, we are looking at possibly trying a bigger squat and dead lift because I do not think I have tapped into my maximum just yet.”

Head Coach Sam Callis said he is delighted with his top performers this season.

“The two alternates, we expected them to do well this season,” Callis said. “Nathan kind of flew under the radar last year but improved through hard work this past offseason and right now he is hitting state qualifying totals.”

Coach Callis wished to thank all of the students and adult workers who helped run Saturday’s meet.

TRACK AND FIELD

H.M. King High School’s varsity and junior varsity boys track and field teams had numerous competitors place at the Asics Invitational meet held at Javelina Stadium on Saturday.

David Lewis won the Shot Put event and placed eighth in the Discus. Jesse Martinez finished seventh in the 400-meter Run. The team of Julian Guerra, B.J. Ripoyla, Marcus Ramirez and Blake Sugarek finished seventh in the 800-meter Relay and eighth in the 400-meter Relay.

Josh Mascorro won the High Jump event in the junior varsity division. Arnulfo Cancino finished seventh in the J.V. Shot Put competition. John Houston (seventh place) and Ruben Herrera (eighth) competed in the Triple Jump.

GIRLS SOCCER

The Lady Brahma varsity soccer team (6-0-1 and in first place in District 60-4A) shutout Laredo Cigarroa 4-0 on Friday. Hayley Ethridge accomplished the hat trick scoring three goals. Vonique Rodriguez scored H.M. King’s fourth goal. The Lady Brahma varsity and junior varsity soccer teams host Laredo LBJ at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday.

UPCOMING

GAMES AND EVENTS

Eddie Yaklin Ford and Kingsville Independent School District’s athletic and music departments will host Drive-One-for-Your-School in front of H.M. King High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday. Ford is donating $20 per test drive; $10 for the athletic department and $10 for the band.

H.M. King High School’s varsity tennis team competes at a tournament in McAllen on Friday and Saturday. Memorial Middle School’s tennis team visits Alice at 4 p.m. on Thursday, and then visits Flour Bluff at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

The Brahma varsity and junior varsity boys and girls track teams compete at the Hub City Relays in Alice on Saturday. Memorial Middle School’s boys and girls track teams compete against Flour Bluff, Tuloso-Midway and Alice (in Alice) on Thursday.

H.M. King High School’s varsity baseball team competes at the Mira’s Classic tournament Thursday through Saturday. The Brahma junior varsity baseball team hosts a tournament Thursday through Saturday.

The Lady Brahma varsity softball teams competes at the Mira’s Classic in Corpus Christi Thursday through Saturday.