August 2014 Boxer of the Month
Megan Ybarra
Troup Boxing Gym
This month's boxer of the month is Megan "Megatron" Ybarra representing Troup Boxing Gym in Troup, Texas. She is coached by Shawn and Candice Vascocu. Megan is the youngest of 3 whom all were raised by their single mother Karen Ybarra. Megan is a student at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas where she will be a senior this year. She also enjoys the outdoor life including hunting and fishing and has grate love for all animals. Meganis full of personality and charisma that is contagious and plays a great role in her boxing career and achievements.
Megan was introduced to boxing during the summer before her freshman year at the age of 14 by her middle school teacher Abraham Ligon. Ligon was a fighter, at that time, with Troup Boxing Gym. He noticed that Megan had a consistent discipline issue in school. He went above and beyond by offering to pay 3 months of her payment to join the gym which her mother accepted hoping it would help. Ligon insisted that boxing training would help her release some of her negative stress and at he same time improve her school behavior. He was absolutely right! Megan loved training and soon after decided to compete. She has since become a much better student with her grades as well as her behavior. She has also joined the varsity track and cross country teams for the past 2 years.
Megan has achieved a lot in a very short time competing for only 3 years. She has won the regional East Texas Golden Gloves 2 times. She has had 11 bouts with a record of 8-3 competing in only 10 events and receiving outstanding fighter at 4 of those events. She most recently won runner up at the Women's National Golden Gloves in Fort Lauderdale, Florida losing in he finals to the number 5 ranked (in USA boxing rankings) and number 2 ranked (Michael Smith's Independent Rankings) Juliette Ladisa.
"Ever since I started fighting and my coaches told me how far we could get in this sport I knew I wanted boxing to be
my career. Going to Florida and seeing how close I am to really excelling in boxing was a big eye opener for me! I have the drive to be successful and I have a lot of support from my friends, family, and coaches which really helps push me to work hard." says Ybarra. Megan says her heros are God, her mother Karen, and Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields.
Megan has set herself a short term goal to rank in Michael Smith's Independent Rankings and the USA rankings along with a long term goal of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics. She plans to compete in the National PAL in Oxnard, CA in late September 2014 also the Junior and Youth Open Tournament in Reno, NA in January 2015. She plans to attend college post high school along with continuing her boxing.
"Megan has the potential to be great in boxing and anything she truly wants to be involved in, she works hard, disciplinesherself, and has the determination to be great. In a few years I believe she will be very well known all over Texas and hopefully the USA. The sky is the imit for her and we are very proud of her." says coach Candice Vascocu.
Editors Note: Since this was written, the August 2014 list for Michael Smith's Independent Rankings has been released and Megan has met her goal of ranking, she is now #5 in the Women's Youth 106lb Open Division. Great job Megan keep
it up!
Megan was introduced to boxing during the summer before her freshman year at the age of 14 by her middle school teacher Abraham Ligon. Ligon was a fighter, at that time, with Troup Boxing Gym. He noticed that Megan had a consistent discipline issue in school. He went above and beyond by offering to pay 3 months of her payment to join the gym which her mother accepted hoping it would help. Ligon insisted that boxing training would help her release some of her negative stress and at he same time improve her school behavior. He was absolutely right! Megan loved training and soon after decided to compete. She has since become a much better student with her grades as well as her behavior. She has also joined the varsity track and cross country teams for the past 2 years.
Megan has achieved a lot in a very short time competing for only 3 years. She has won the regional East Texas Golden Gloves 2 times. She has had 11 bouts with a record of 8-3 competing in only 10 events and receiving outstanding fighter at 4 of those events. She most recently won runner up at the Women's National Golden Gloves in Fort Lauderdale, Florida losing in he finals to the number 5 ranked (in USA boxing rankings) and number 2 ranked (Michael Smith's Independent Rankings) Juliette Ladisa.
"Ever since I started fighting and my coaches told me how far we could get in this sport I knew I wanted boxing to be
my career. Going to Florida and seeing how close I am to really excelling in boxing was a big eye opener for me! I have the drive to be successful and I have a lot of support from my friends, family, and coaches which really helps push me to work hard." says Ybarra. Megan says her heros are God, her mother Karen, and Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields.
Megan has set herself a short term goal to rank in Michael Smith's Independent Rankings and the USA rankings along with a long term goal of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics. She plans to compete in the National PAL in Oxnard, CA in late September 2014 also the Junior and Youth Open Tournament in Reno, NA in January 2015. She plans to attend college post high school along with continuing her boxing.
"Megan has the potential to be great in boxing and anything she truly wants to be involved in, she works hard, disciplinesherself, and has the determination to be great. In a few years I believe she will be very well known all over Texas and hopefully the USA. The sky is the imit for her and we are very proud of her." says coach Candice Vascocu.
Editors Note: Since this was written, the August 2014 list for Michael Smith's Independent Rankings has been released and Megan has met her goal of ranking, she is now #5 in the Women's Youth 106lb Open Division. Great job Megan keep
it up!
