x
Breaking News
More () »

Mathis High School senior becomes state powerlifting champion

Ebony Vega won the female powerlifting state championship

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Most people may not call lifting 545 pounds 'fun' but that's exactly how Ebony Vega describes it.

On Friday, March 15, Vega took first place during a meet in Waco.

"It was fun, it was really fun."

The female powerlifter started as a freshman at Mathis High School. She said at first, she was intimidated but soon discovered, she was strong. 

Really strong. 

"When I'm in a bad place, I wanna come and lift it brings me joy," she said. 

After four years of hard work and constant improvement, Vega has made strides in her powerlifting career.

"I am really proud of myself, I pushed really hard to get where I am now," Vega said. 

The senior attributes her success to her team and head coach, Mary Villreal.

"It gives them self reassurance, it allows them to know that they can be strong," Villareal said. 

The coach said they meet at 5:30 A.M., before school, to work out, four days a week. 

While squatting and lifting 500 plus pounds does take some major muscle, Villareal said it starts with the mind. 

"Mentally strong, emotionally strong and they come together and that I think, is the best part of it," she said. 

This mental toughness came into play two years ago for Vega. During a meet, she was almost paralyzed from a neck injury.

"That kinda scared me, like I really didn't wanna do powerlifting any more but powerlifting, I feel like this is my life so I continued to do it and I'm proud I did," Vega said. 

It's a good thing she stuck with it; during the state championship in Waco, Vega took home the gold with a combined lifting weight of 1,200 pounds.

"I didn't cry or anything, I'm still shocked," Vega said. 

"It shows all her hard work and her dedication throughout the past couple of years," Villareal added.

"It was amazing."

Before You Leave, Check This Out