After national title win, PV powerlifter Haleigh Doyle adds third consecutive state crown

RIO RANCHO, N.M.

Piedra Vista’s Haleigh Doyle consolidated her national title with another dominating win during the New Mexico Powerlifting State Championships on Saturday.

Doyle, who captured a national title in late March, netted her third consecutive Class 5A state title at 97 pounds during the one-day state competition at Rio Rancho Events Center.

“This season has been pretty crazy, especially the fact that I competed at nationals two weeks ago and then coming here trying to defend my state title at the same time,” Doyle said. “I’ve been lifting like crazy, and I haven’t stopped at all.”

On March 26, Doyle competed at the High School Nationals in Killeen, Texas, winning the 97-pound weight class.

During Saturday’s state meet, Doyle lifted a total of 515 pounds in squat, bench, and deadlift as the PV junior won her state crown by 65 pounds over Carlsbad’s Pauline Siazon and Rio Rancho’s Kahlen Ramirez as the latter two lifted 450 pounds each.

Doyle’s weight total included 165 in squat, 115 in bench, and 235 in squat.

“I went for 250 and I was so close, but I couldn’t lock it out, so I got red-lighted,” Doyle said of her final attempt in deadlift. “But I was right there.”

PV adds a pair of state runner-up finishes

The Panthers also had a pair of second-place finishes from Toni Hogue and Aalysa Estrada as PV placed fifth in the team standings with 18 points. Carlsbad won the 5A state crown with 32 points ahead of Alamogordo (30), Hobbs (26), Rio Rancho (20) and PV.

At 220 pounds, Hogue got on the podium for the first time after placing fourth during last year’s state meet.

“It’s incredible,” Hogue said of making the podium. “All the hard work, after almost making the podium last year, has paid payoff.”

During last year’s state meet, Hogue matched the 780 total that Alamogordo’s Devaeh Joseph had. Per New Mexico Activities Association bylaws, Joseph earned the third-place medal for being the lighter lifter.

“I was pretty close,” Hogue said. “We tied for third and she weighed lighter than me, so I was pretty close to making it, but I’m happy for the girl that podium.”

On Saturday, Hogue maxed out at 360 in squat, 185 in bench and 365 in deadlift for a 910-pound weight total as she finished 20 pounds behind state champ Lillianna Cortez of Hobbs. Cortez lifted 345 in squat, 185 in bench and 400 in deadlift for a 930 total.

“I’m just so happy that I got second and I got to podium this year,” said Hogue, who joined the PV powerlifting program her junior season. Prior to that she played two years for the PV girls basketball team.

“As much as I enjoyed playing basketball, I always got injured,” Hogue said. “My junior year, I decided to quit basketball and I pulled a 300 deadlift in my weightlifting class and my powerlifting coach asked me to join the team. I gave it a try, and this is where it got me.”

At 123 pounds, Estrada also earned her first podium appearance by lifting a total of 605 pounds. She finished second to Alamogordo’s Alloriah Reynolds, who won the state crown with a 625-pound total.

The PV junior earned her state runner-up finish by lifting 285 pounds in the deadlift as she moved up three spots behind Reynolds.

“This is exciting,” Estrada said. “I almost cried happy tears. I didn’t know what I placed I got until my coaches told me. After they told me, I was drawn with excitement. Next year, I’m going to try and get first place.”

Her other lifts include 220 in squat and 100 in bench.

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