Prep Powerlifting: Local Standouts Deliver at State as Participation Gaps Persist

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico Activities Association State Powerlifting Championships concluded April 10–11 at the Rio Rancho Events Center, with athletes from our broader community delivering several standout performances—even as overall results continued to reflect uneven participation across programs.

Centennial High School led the way locally, earning top finishes across multiple divisions and capturing all but one first-place individual titles from the area.

Centennial, Las Cruces Lifters Power 5A Results

In the Class 5A boys division, Centennial placed seventh with 13 points, while Las Cruces High School finished 11th with seven points. Organ Mountain placed 12th (6 points), and Mayfield finished 19th.

At the top of the standings, Sandia claimed the team title with 28 points, followed by Roswell (26) and Cleveland (24).

Despite limited roster sizes compared to the top programs, individual performances from local lifters stood out.

The 3,065 lb. photo. Left, Luke Matherly. Right, Richard Medina. 2026 New Mexico Activities Association State Powerlifting Champions.

Centennial’s Luke Matherly captured first place in the 308-pound weight class with a 1,490-pound total, setting a new record in his division. Matherly, previously described as an “athlete for all seasons,” added a state title to an already decorated athletic résumé.

Las Cruces High School’s Richard Medina, the Bulldawgs’ lone qualifier, delivered one of the most impressive performances of the meet. Competing in the 275-pound division, Medina totaled 1,575 pounds, a mark strong enough to effectively carry a team score on his own.

Both Matherly and Medina posted the second- and third-highest totals across all weight classes, trailing only Hobbs standout Jesus Ortiz, who recorded a 1,755-pound total in the super heavyweight division.

Girls Divisions Highlight Centennial, Hatch Valley Depth

In the girls 5A division, Centennial finished sixth with 16 points, while Mayfield placed 11th and Organ Mountain 21st.

Carlsbad claimed the team title (32 points), followed closely by Alamogordo (30) and Hobbs (26).

Centennial’s success was driven by two state champions:

• Lorena Zamora (105) — 555-pound total
• Aliyah Salas (198) — 840-pound total

Salas’ performance matched her state total from a year ago, a standing record at 198.

In the A-3A girls division, Hatch Valley placed fifth with 13 points, continuing to demonstrate strong participation and depth—particularly on the girls side—against smaller-school competition.

A-3A Boys Field Reflects Development Stage

Hatch Valley also competed in the A-3A boys division, finishing 19th with three points.

Clayton captured the team title (31 points), followed by Legacy Academy (24) and New Mexico Military Institute (19).

Hatch Valley Girls Powerlifting at the 2026 NMAA State Powerlifting Championships. Photo: Courtesy HVPS Athletics & Activities (via Facebook)

While results were modest, Hatch Valley’s presence across both boys and girls divisions continues to reflect one of the more engaged programs in the region.

Depth Still Separates Contenders

As anticipated heading into the championships, team outcomes were largely determined by depth.

Programs like Sandia, Roswell, and Carlsbad fielded competitors across multiple weight classes, allowing them to accumulate points consistently throughout the meet.

By contrast, several schools from our broader community entered with smaller contingents—or, in some cases, single competitors—limiting their ability to contend in team standings despite strong individual performances.

A Sport Still Finding Its Footing

The state championships served as both a showcase and a measuring point.

Standout performances from lifters like Matherly, Medina, Zamora, and Salas highlight the level of talent present across our broader community. At the same time, participation gaps noted ahead of the meet remain a defining factor in overall results.

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As powerlifting continues to grow at the high school level, programs that build depth and sustain participation are likely to separate themselves in future seasons.

For now, the results offer a clear snapshot: elite individual strength is already here—the next step is building the numbers to match it.

Looking Ahead

With the conclusion of the state meet, powerlifting closes out the winter sports calendar and contributes to final Neighbors Cup winter standings.

For local programs, attention now turns to growth—expanding participation, developing depth, and turning strong individual performances into team success in the years ahead.