National Championships Info | Live Stream
SEWARD, Neb. – The national qualifying field for Concordia University Powerlifting has increased dramatically from year one to year two of the program’s existence. The Bulldogs will travel 17 athletes to the 2024 USA Powerlifting Collegiate National Championships set for Thursday through Sunday (April 11-14). The national championship event will be held at Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Ga. A year ago, Concordia sent four athletes to the national championships in Arlington, Texas.
Head Coach Freddie Myles’ 2023 nationals roster includes three repeat qualifiers: Dax Davis, Kenzie Houser and Rylee Ladd. The remaining qualifiers (listed below) will experience the national stage for the first time.
2024 Concordia National Competitors
Women
· Rylee Ladd, 52kg (Chetek, Wis.)
· Kenzie Houser, 56kg (Riverton, Kan.)
· Katie Wilson, 56kg (Cozad, Neb.)
· Taylor Meyer, 60kg (Marysville, Kan.)
· Rylee Bentz, 60kg (Kearney, Neb.)
· Talisa Buhr, 67.5kg (Adams, Neb.)
· Abby Velten, 75kg (Whitesboro, Texas)
· Teya Badger, 100kg (Brandon, S.D.)
· Abby Lockingen, 100kg (West Jordan, Utah)
Men
· Dax Davis, 67.5kg (Grand Island, Neb.)
· Garrett Reimche, 75kg (Lenexa, Kan.)
· Hunter Powers, 75kg (Grand Island, Neb.)
· Nic Kriech, 82.5kg (Columbus, Neb.)
· Pryce Ostermeier, 82.5kg (Grand Island, Neb.)
· Leo Guiza, 100kg (Crete, Neb.)
· Jack Hedke, 125kg (Marysville, Kan.)
· Will Petersen, 140kg (Yutan, Neb.)
Ladd will be looking to build upon her 2023 nationals place finish of 19th (out of 49) at 56kg. She totaled a score of 327.5kg at last year’s competition. In addition, Davis placed 28th (out of 55) at 67.5kg and Houser placed 50th (out of 70) in the 60kg class. A standout 2023-24 season for Ladd included her earning the honor of best female lifter of the competition at the Husker Strong Meet and a 52kg class championship at the Central Collegiate Regional Championships.
Ladd was one of four Bulldogs to win titles at the Central Collegiate Regional Championships in Fremont, Neb., back in November. She was joined at the top of the podium by Houser, Nic Kriech and Meyer. The Marysville, Kan., native Meyer was formerly a member of Concordia’s track & field program. Similarly, Jack Hedke transitioned from wrestling to powerlifting. He was a second-place finisher at the Central Collegiate Regional Championships.
General information for the 2024 USA Powerlifting Collegiate National Championships can be found via the event page linked at the top.