Sometimes, Cinderella wears a singlet.

Brandon Chavez can attest to that.

One February ago, the West Las Vegas senior made a dream come true -- one he chased since he first took the mat in eighth grade.

"Once I went out my first year, I got that bug," Chavez says. "I kept thinking, 'I am going to be there, I want that [state] title.' "

The 230-pounder in the heavyweight division achieved his dream in the unlikeliest fashion.

Chavez spent the entire weekend in Rio Rancho's Santa Ana Star Center coming from behind, needing pins in every match to pull off the upset and fulfill his destiny.

A year later, though, he can't use the underdog status for motivation.

It's his back with a target on it.

The defending Class A-AAA state champion knows that he can't surprise the field for the 2011 Class A-AAA/AAAA/AAAAA State Wrestling Championships, which start Friday.

"It's an interesting situation," Chavez says. "Ever since the first day [of practice], I knew I needed to push myself even harder in order for me to win state again. I have that target on my back that everyone is gunning for me. I have worked hard all this year in trying to prove myself and get myself better."

Chavez will be the No. 2 seed in the heavyweight division with a 15-4 record and a District 2A-AAA title to his name. The only one ahead of him is a wrestler who hasn't forgotten how Chavez put a sour end to his state tournament -- Andres Blea of
St. Michael's.

Blea was the second seed last year and leading Chavez on points before the Don pinned him in the final minute of the second period.

It was the trend of Chavez's weekend.

Of course, Chavez was giving up about 20 to 30 pounds to each of his opponents.

"I think he was down pretty much every single match, but he able to pull it off," said Robert Alarcon, West Las Vegas head coach. "It was huge -- very huge."

That was the case in the heavyweight championship. Trailing 8-0 in the final minute and his back on the mat against Las Vegas Robertson's Sam Marquez, Chavez somehow reversed himself and got Marquez on his back for a miraculous pin with just 15 seconds left.

"All I remember is just feeling his weight trying to keep up with me," Chavez said. "I felt at that time maybe I should hit the roll. You might as well try it now. So I just threw my hips over and found his head and just held on for dear life. I could hear how much time there was, but I was focused on what I was doing."

Blea, though, watched from the stands, believing it should have been him on the mat.

"It pretty much it stuck in his head and he really didn't like that feeling," said Joaquin Garcia, Horsemen head coach. "This year, he is 10 times more hungry and 10 times more determined not to let that happen again."

To reinforce that point Blea pinned Chavez the two times they wrestled this season on his way to a 25-1 mark. Chavez has used those losses to give him a new goal.

"I think this time it's going to be different," Chavez said. "I have drilled for any possible situation I could be in. I feel confident I can wrestle with him."

Chavez and Blea are among several wrestlers chasing dreams.

Blea's teammates, Jess Martinez and Koery Windham, are looking to add to their medal count.

Martinez is looking for the 160-pound title to complete a string of four straight state titles.

Windham, only a sophomore, is going for his third at 152, which would keep him in line for the coveted five-peat, which only three others have done.

Las Vegas Robertson freshman Richard Montoya is looking for a second state title, this one at 120.

Taos's Justin Silva (138) and Dakota Swineheart (195) are looking to do the same.

In Class AAAA, Santa Fe High's Anthony Abeyta has been unbeatable at 160, going 22-0 as he looks to add that division to his 152 crown last year.

Capital's Ernesto Salvidrez is 24-3 in 132 after winning at 119 last year.

Contact James Barron at 986-3045 or jbarron@sfnewmexican.com. Read his blog at thereadbarron.com.