The newest members of the Winnemucca High Schools Hall of Fame were inducted this past Friday in between the varsity games between Lowry and Churchill County.
The 1980 Lowry High School wrestling team that ended the decade long dynasty of the Yerington Lions and Chelsea Cabatbat, Michael Billingsley, Beau Billingsley, Robert Neary and Keith Neray were inducted into the Winnemucca High Schools Hall of Fame this past Friday, as the Buckaroos took on Churchill County on Pat Hart Court
1980 wrestling team
In 1980, Yerington High School was on the verge of winning its 10th consecutive Nevada AA State Championship, a remarkable feat that no other 2A team in Nevada had ever achieved.
With Yerington the clear favorites, the 1980-81 Lowry High School wrestling team entered the tournament as determined underdogs.
Against all odds, the team delivered the performance of a lifetime, upsetting Yerington and securing Lowry’s first-ever wrestling team state championship.
This victory would come to be seen as the foundation for one of the most successful programs at Lowry High School.
The 1981 team boasted four individual state champions: Jimmy Kracaw (123 pounds), Robert Neary (130), Paul Kerr (167) and Steve Lopes (194).
Additionally, three wrestlers earned second-place finishes: Ricky Jurado (98), Kenny Roybal (148) and George Miller (Heavyweight). Arlan Fagg secured a third-place finish (115), while Karl Baker placed fourth (177).
Other key contributors to this historic accomplishment included Kelly Pollock, Wade George, Jim Rackley, Jeff Ellifritz, Tom Baker, John Baker, Curtis Baker, Sam Glasglow, Tim Davis, and Rich Donaldson.
The team was coached by Jim Billingsley, with Mark Brandenburg serving as assistant coach.
Although several members of this team are no longer with us, we honor their contributions to Lowry Wrestling, recognizing that their efforts helped lay the foundation for the program’s legacy.
The success of the 1980-81 state championship team remains an integral part of what has become a storied wrestling tradition at Lowry High School.
Robert Neary
Robert Neary attended Lowry High School from 1978 to 1981, participating in wrestling, football, track, baseball, and band. He also served as the student council Vice President.
While Robert competed in several sports, he excelled in wrestling. In 1978, he won the junior varsity state championship. In 1980, he became the varsity state champion at 130 pounds with a record of 17-6, leading the team in takedowns and contributing to the 1980 State Championship.
In 1981, he was the state runner-up with a record of 22-4.
After high school, Robert continued his wrestling career at Pacific University. While training for wrestling, he was recruited by the cross country coach and went on to compete for the cross country team.
He was honored with the Coaches Award and lettered in both cross country and wrestling.
Robert later coached wrestling for a year at Union High School in Union, Oregon, before returning to Nevada. He currently resides in Whitehall, Mont.
Keith Neary
Keith Neary attended Lowry High School from 1981 to 1984, where he participated in football, wrestling, and track all four years, and was a member of the school band for two years.
Keith was a standout in wrestling, becoming the first freshman in Lowry High history to win a state championship in 1981 at the 115-pound weight class, finishing the season with a record of 18-9.
In 1982, he was the state runner-up with a record of 18-5. Keith went on to win two additional state championships, claiming first place in 1983 at 129 pounds with a record of 25-3-1.
In 1984, he was again a state runner-up at 135 pounds, finishing the year with a record of 35-6. His overall wrestling record at Lowry was 96-23-1.
After high school, Keith continued his wrestling career at Pacific University, earning varsity letters all four years. He later returned to Northern Nevada, where he contributed to local athletics by coaching wrestling, football, and baseball in the Reno-Sparks area, where he still resides today.
Chelsea Cabatbat
Chelsea Cabatbat exemplifies excellence as an athlete, coach and educator.
She began her education at Sonoma Heights Elementary, then attended French Ford Middle School, Winnemucca Junior High and Albert Lowry High School, before earning her teaching degree from the University of Nevada Reno and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Western Governors University.
Chelsea has held various teaching roles, including 4th-grade and 2nd-grade teacher at Grass Valley Elementary, and special education teacher at Lowry High School.
She is currently the Dean of Students and Vice Principal at French Ford Middle School.
As a coach, Chelsea’s achievements are remarkable. She led the Lowry High School Girls Basketball team to a state championship in 2014 and received Coach of the Year honors.
Her teams also won state championships in 2023 and 2024, earning another Coach of the Year title.
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Chelsea was a standout athlete herself, earning four letters in golf and basketball. She was part of the state championship golf team in 1999 and a key player in the 2001-02 State Championship basketball team.
Chelsea’s dedication to Lowry High School and her contributions to the community make her a deserving candidate for the Hall of Fame.
Micheal Billingsley
Michael Billingsley, a proud graduate of Lowry High School, was born in Winnemucca on April 18, 1994.
During his high school years, he distinguished himself as an outstanding athlete in wrestling, football, and track & field, while also being a member of the National Honor Society and the Letterman’s Club.
In wrestling, Michael’s achievements were remarkable, with 4 state championships, 4 team state titles, and recognition as a 2-time National High School Coaches Association All-American.
He was a Rollie Lane Invitational Champion and a two-time finalist, earning the title of Team MVP and serving as team captain for 3 years.
Additionally, Michael was a 4-time Academic All-State honoree and the Reno Gazette-Journal Wrestler of the Year.
On the football field, Michael was a First Team All-State Defensive End, First Team All-League Linebacker, and an Honorable Mention All-League Quarterback, alongside being a 4-time Academic All-State selection. He also earned 3 varsity letters in track.
After high school, Michael attended the United States Air Force Academy, where he graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
He continued his wrestling career at the Division 1 level in the Big 12 Conference, earning four varsity letters for the Air Force Falcons and placing in the Big 12 Conference.
Currently, Michael serves as a Captain in the United States Space Force at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California. His dedication to excellence both on and off the mat, coupled with his continued service to the nation, makes him a deserving inductee into the Hall of Fame.
Beau Billingsley
Beau Billingsley is a distinguished Lowry High School graduate, born in Winnemucca on March 30, 1996. He was an exceptional athlete, excelling in wrestling, football, and track & field, while also being an active member of the National Honor Society and the Letterman’s Club.
In wrestling, Beau’s accomplishments are unmatched, earning fourstate championships, three team state titles, and the prestigious National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award.
He was a National High School Coaches Association All-American and a 3-time Sierra Nevada Classic finalist, with one victory.
His academic achievements were equally impressive, with three Academic All-State honors and recognition as the NIAA Top Ten Student Athlete of the Year.
On the football field, Beau was named the NIAA Northern Offensive Player of the Year, a First Team All-State Running Back, and a First Team All-League Linebacker, alongside three Academic All-State selections. He also earned two varsity letters in track.
Beau continued his wrestling career at the United States Air Force Academy, competing in the Big 12 conference.
After graduating in 2015, he joined the United States Space Force, where he currently serves as a Captain at Buckley Space Force Base in Denver, Colorado.
Beau's commitment to excellence in both athletics and academics, combined with his ongoing service to the country, makes him a deserving inductee into the Hall of Fame.