A bunch of area athletes will be competing in this weekend’s state powerlifting championships in Rio Rancho, including a few contenders for a first-place trophy.
Logan junior Haden Judd, also a standout on the Longhorns’ track team, is a defending state champion in powerlifting at 148 pounds and is ranked second in the latest standings of that weight class.
He’s behind only Corbin Barrera of Legacy Academy, who has lifted a total of 1,060 pounds in the bench press, dead lift and squat. Judd has lifted a total of 945 pounds.
Other Logan boys qualifying for the state meet Friday and Saturday at the Rio Rancho Event Center are Izaiah Kneitz and Stratton Schoonover, both in the 132-pound weight class.
The Logan girls boast eight at the state meet, including Kyle Terry at the 97-pound weight class, April Landsdell at 105, Bella Coronado and Aaliyah Lansdell at 114, Makinlee Judd at 132, Abby Paris and Laramee Shields at 198 and Kara Bibbs at 220.
According to the latest standings, Coronado is ranked second and Paris and April Landsdell are rated third in their respective divisions in Class 1A-3A.
The San Jon girls will have just two at the state meet, but one is ranked second in her weight class. Dakota Fisher is competing in the 165-pound division. She is behind only Davina Griffis of Legacy Academy.
The other San Jon competitor is Perlita Ramirez in the 132-pound class.
For Tucumcari, Antonio Gonzales and Nolan Ryen will compete in the 181 and 275-pound classes respectively. Both are ranked sixth in the latest standings.
For the Lady Rattlers, Isabel Morales will compete in the 220-pound division.
Tucumcari is competing in powerlifting for the first time this season.
Logan has competed in the sport since the 2021 season and won the inaugural state championships that year.
For several years, the New Mexico Activities Association had listed powerlifting as an activity and not an officially sanctioned sport. It changed to an official sport this season.