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Rio Rancho powerlifter overcomes failing pancreas to win back-to-back state titles

Rio Rancho’s Alayah Gonzales won the girls 259-pound weight class during Friday’s state powerlifting competition at the Rio Rancho Events Center. Gonzales, who has chronic pancreatitis, said she was ‘practically living in the hospital for two years,’ but is now a back-to-back state champion.

Jessica Baca/Journal

Tristen Critchfield Tristen Critchfield Tristen Critchfield for the Journal

Published April 4, 2025 - 10:40 p.m. Modified April 5, 2025 - 2:20 p.m.

As Alayah Gonzales stepped to the podium to accept her first place medal at the girls 2025 State Powerlifting Championships, it was hard not to notice the bright yellow stuffed “animal” she held in her hands.

From a distance, it almost looked like Pikachu of Pokémon fame. The reality was something far more meaningful: Gonzales’ plush pal was a replica of a pancreas, and it represented how she had overcome long odds to win her second consecutive state title.

“It’s just world changing,” said of her victory in the 259-pound category.

“I suffer from chronic pancreatitis, and I was practically living in the hospital for two years. I was in the hospital more than I was at home. So this is a big achievement for me, and it’s very emotional for me. I’m just very proud of myself that I can do this, and I actually found a sport that I can do. And I found so many friendships and people that care about me.”

On this day, the Rio Rancho sophomore combined to lift 875 pounds in bench press, squat and deadlift, she was facing off against more than rival Class 5A lifters and the plates on the bar.

“Basically, my pancreas is failing, and it just doesn’t produce insulin. So it doesn’t work that much anymore. I deal with pain in my day-to-day life. I had to deal with back pain with my lifts. And it was pretty hard, but I’m very proud of myself that I still took first.”

Gonzales was one of 35 individual champions crowned at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Friday. Meanwhile, Alamogordo (Class 5A), Lovington (Class 4A) and Estancia (Class 1A-3A) captured girls team titles in what was the second year that powerlifting was recognized as an official sport.

The boys will compete Saturday at the RREC.

Lovington is something of a budding dynasty already with four straight girls championships, which dates back to before the official sport designation. The Wildcats had four first-place finishers on Friday, while no other school had more than two.

“We started during COVID … and we did it virtually,” said Lovington coach Andy Sloan. “And then a lot of schools caught on, and it’s been wonderful for girls to get involved.”

Sloan’s team includes athletes from softball, cheerleading, soccer — and even golf. Lovington also has a full junior varsity powerlifting program.

They’re constantly balancing, and they just find a way to work,” Sloan said of his girls. “They’re relentless.”

Friday’s competitors were drawn to lifting for a variety of reasons. Cleveland’s Affinity Archuleta, for example, has it in her genes: Her father was a bodybuilder who once took seventh place at the Arnold Classic. After finishing third in 2024, Archuleta took first at 132 pounds with a combined lift of 690 pounds.

“I just let my emotions get the best of me and pick it up,” said Archuleta, who wore a specially designed chain from her coaches for setting a personal record on the squat. “I like to get my anger up so I can pull the weight.”

Archuleta was all smiles after her performance.

“I was originally in track first, and then I got into powerlifting my sophomore year. But I never expected to be here … it just kinda dragged me in here,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tularosa sophomore Isabella Gomez blew away the field in Class 1A-3A at 259 pounds, as she lifted 850 combined pounds. Her closest competition was 230 pounds behind her.

“It means a lot because I come from a very small town, and a lot of people usually dismiss us,” Gomez said. “But to come out here and break records means everything to me, my town and my family.”

Gomez is a rare breed in more ways than one. She got turned on to powerlifting while playing offensive line on the Tularosa football team at the recommendation of her coach.

“Next year, I’m gonna try to hit 900 (pounds). And then hopefully, the year after that, I can work up to 1,000,” she said.

Basketball was Rebecca Neal’s first athletic love, but powerlifting is catching up after the Highland junior took first at 148 pounds for the second straight year. Neal is a multi-sport athlete who says she enjoyed the weight room even before it became a competitive endeavor. Now she sees lifting as something that will extend beyond her high school athletic career.

“I’d love just to do competitions on the side, stick with it — just to help with my life at least,” Neal said.