WESLACO - For the second year in a row, Weslaco East Powerlifter Eric Torres was crowned state champion of the state of Texas. Torres won his weight class in the 114 lb division. In the meet the Wildcats won with a total of 22 points, which were followed by Los Fresnos who had 18 points.

"Feels good," said Torres, Weslaco East state champion. "It feels pretty good."

"Really good, it says we're something," said Torres. "Hopefully it's now a tradition or something. In the valley, not really anybody wins a state championship twice."

Torres holds two state records, the 465 lb dead lift and 1125 in total. "It feels good," said Torres about his performance at the state meet. "I could have probably done better."

"I've been coaching for the past 15 years and never had anyone as strong as this kid. This kid lifts 10 times his body weight. He has set two state records, 465 lb dead lift and 1125 lb total. He's very quiet, he's one of those who you'd just like to coach," said Michael Burget, Weslaco East powerlifting coach.

"Since I was going in second, I knew I had to go in great," said Torres about last years state meet. "It's really awesome, it's really great."

"People see me as another guy," said Torres, when asked if people judge him by his weight and size. "I see people talking about me, and I'm like wow."

"First of all mental preparations," said Torres when he prepares for competitions. "If you don't have it in your head, your not going to win. The main thing is to have it in your head that you're going to win."

"Good coaches," Torres said. "Michael Burget really knows what he's doing. All coaches know what they're doing. They are all supportive. They are all cool guys, it's great."

"I hope I get to at a college, just like Frank is doing in Las Vegas," said Torres responding about pursuing powerlifting after high school. "I will probably go to UTSA. I do want to live this."

"Getting stronger, like working-out. I like winning," said Torres about why he likes powerlifting.

"I hope so," said Torres responding if he feels he can possibly win state back-to-back-to-back as a senior. "I'm going to go up to the 123 lb class. I think I can. Coach says I can too."

"I kind of knew," said Torres absolutely knowing that he was going to win state this year. "I went in there mentally good. I knew I was going to get it."

"Everyone did good overall," said Torres replying to the teams' result. "They did what they did. They all went up a lot in totals. We all pushed each other, not just as an individual."

Torres knows that next year he can possibly win state again and strive for his third consecutive state championship.