KC’s Ethan Billey, Grants’ Gary Chavez defend state crowns

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Apr 11, 2026 | Wrestling |

RIO RANCHO, N.M.

Kirtland Central’s Ethan Billey and Grants senior Gary Chavez repeated as state champions Friday at the New Mexico Class 4A Powerlifting State Championships.

Billey won his third straight state title at 114 pounds with a total of 715 pounds. The Kirtland Central senior lifted 240 in the squat, 135 in the bench press and 340 in the deadlift during the one-day meet at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Grants senior Gary Chavez (middle) repeated as the state champion at 242 pounds on Friday in Rio Rancho, N.M. He is pictured here with Lovington athletes Jesus Morales (left) and Kevin Reyes (right) with Morales taking second and Reyes third.

“He’s our only state champion so far,” Kirtland Central coach Robert Reynolds said. “We had a couple that finished as state runner-up last year. I wasn’t his coach for his first one. I was an assistant last year, and he’s such a good kid. It’s such a pleasure to be his coach and be able to be part of his success.

“He worked for it and earned it,” he added.

At 242 pounds, Chavez won his second state title with a total of 1,435 pounds and set state records in the squat and bench press. He broke the squat record by 35 pounds with a lift of 575 and posted 345 in the bench press.

“I pretty much met all my goals for the season,” Chavez said. “I just left everything on the table, and I was glad that I finished out my senior year with another gold medal.

“Coming in I was nervous about my openers,” he added. “My openers win it, but if I don’t get them, I don’t get a medal.”

The Pirates also got a state title from junior Devin Chavez, who won at 123 pounds with a total of 765 pounds. He lifted 235 in the squat, 180 in the bench press and 350 in the deadlift. Devin is not related to Gary Chavez.

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Grants junior Devin Chavez poses after winning the 123-pound weight class at Friday’s New Mexico Class 4A Powerlifting State Championships in Rio Rancho, N.M. Chavez won the state crown by lifting the deadlift 350 pounds as he edged Valencia’s Catalino Diaz.

“I wasn’t expecting to get first,” Devin Chavez said. “There was a guy that was seeded ahead of me, but he didn’t show up, so I was expecting to get second, but I pushed hard today, and I got first.”

Devin Chavez edged Valencia’s Catalino Diaz for the title. Diaz finished with a total of 760 pounds. Entering the deadlift, both powerlifters were tied at 415, but Chavez pulled ahead by lifting five more pounds.

“My previous best in deadlift was 325 and I went up to 350,” Devin Chavez said. “I love deadlift. It’s fun to pull up.”

Bloomfield had one state champion in senior Cristian Medrano, who won the super heavyweight class with a total of 1,360 pounds.

“Honestly, I feel like I don’t deserve this win,” Medrano said. “I give all the glory to God, and it felt good because I know that God was with me the whole entire way.

“Without Him, we’re nothing,” he added.

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Bloomfield senior Cristian Medrano prepares for a bench press attempt during Friday’s New Mexico Class 4A Powerlifting State Championships at the Rio Rancho Events Center. Medrano won the super heavyweight state title with a combined total of 1,360 pounds, lifting 490 in squat, 335 in bench and 535 in deadlift.

The Bloomfield lifter posted 490 in the squat, 335 in the bench press and 535 in the deadlift. With those lifts, Medrano broke his personal record in total weight by five pounds.

“I was struggling with my deadlift for the longest time, and I knew God was with me the whole time,” Medrano said. “I didn’t do so well with my squats, too, but He helped me get to 490.”

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