2024 USA Powerlifting Collegiate National Championships Results
ATLANTA, Ga. – The immense progress of Concordia University Powerlifting as compared to its inaugural season (2022-23) was on full display this past week (April 11-14) as 17 Bulldogs competed at the 2024 USA Powerlifting Collegiate National Championships. From a team perspective, Concordia placed ninth (out of 109 teams) on the women’s side and 19th (out of 110 teams) on the men’s side. Most impressively from an individual standpoint, sophomore Rylee Ladd broke the American collegiate bench press record while lifting 92.5kg (204 pounds).
Head Coach Freddie Myles’ squad placed two individuals on the podium (which requires a top-five finish): Ladd, the national runner up at 52 kg, and Will Peterson, a fifth-place finisher at 140kg. Ladd and Peterson became the first athletes in program history to earn spots on the podium.
A year ago, Concordia took four athletes to the 2023 national championships, including Ladd, Dax Davis and Kenzie Houser. This time around, the Bulldogs made waves at the 2024 event held at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Ga. Said Myles, “I think the success this past weekend both individually and as a team is a good sign for the program’s future. I was really proud of Rylee for breaking the bench press record. I’m happy for our entire team for what everyone accomplished this entire season. It’s been a joy to coach this group and I look forward to seeing how we continue to climb the ladder looking ahead to 2024-25.”
A native of Chetek, Wis., Ladd has been a consistently high achiever since she arrived on campus. She outdid herself on the ’24 national stage while twice breaking the American collegiate record in the bench press. Ladd also squatted 132.5kg and deadlifted 145kg for a total of 370kg. As a comparison, she placed 19th at the 2023 national championships with a total of 327.5kg. 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.
A freshman from Yutan, Neb., Peterson made program history with his fifth-place claim at 140kg. On the national stage, Peterson squatted 300kg, benched 175kg and deadlifted 292.5 kg for a total of 767.5kg. He was the leader for a group of eight Bulldog men’s competitors. Davis made his second career nationals appearance and placed 45th at 67.5kg.
In terms of sheer place finishes, the next best Concordia competitors were Teya Badger (ninth at 100kg), Houser (14th at 56kg), Jack Hedke (17th at 125kg) and Taylor Meyer (26th at 60kg). As noted by Myles, certain weight classes are loaded greater competition than others. A complete summary of Concordia performances at the national championships can be found below.
2024 Concordia National Competitors
Women
· Rylee Ladd, 52kg (Chetek, Wis.) – placed 2nd; Squat: 132.5kg | Bench: 92.5kg (collegiate national record) | Deadlift: 145kg.
· Kenzie Houser, 56kg (Riverton, Kan.) – placed 14th; Squat: 132.5kg | Bench: 65kg | Deadlift: 137.5kg.
· Katie Wilson, 56kg (Cozad, Neb.) – placed 43rd; Squat: 97.5kg | Bench: 60kg | Deadlift: 122.5kg.
· Taylor Meyer, 60kg (Marysville, Kan.) – placed 26th; Squat: 137.5kg | Bench: 75kg | Deadlift: 147.5 kg.
· Rylee Bentz, 60kg (Kearney, Neb.) – Bench: 80kg | Deadlift: 127.5kg.
· Talisa Buhr, 67.5kg (Adams, Neb.) – placed 50th | Squat: 140kg | Bench: 77.5kg | Deadlift: 140kg.
· Abby Velten, 75kg (Whitesboro, Texas) – placed 77th | Squat: 105kg | Bench: 75kg | Deadlift: 137.5kg.
· Teya Badger, 100kg (Brandon, S.D.) – placed 9th | Squat: 155kg | Bench: 72.5kg | Deadlift: 175kg.
· Abby Lockingen, 100kg (West Jordan, Utah) – placed 14th | Squat: 130kg | Bench: 70kg | Deadlift: 150kg.
Men
· Dax Davis, 67.5kg (Grand Island, Neb.) – placed 45th | Squat: 190kg | Bench: 127.5kg | Deadlift: 170kg.
· Garrett Reimche, 75kg (Lenexa, Kan.) – placed 56th | Squat: 217.5kg | Bench: 127.5kg | Deadlift: 227.5 kg.
· Hunter Powers, 75kg (Grand Island, Neb.) – placed 58th | Squat: 217.5kg | Bench: 112.5kg | Deadlift: 240kg.
· Nic Kriech, 82.5kg (Columbus, Neb.) – placed 48th | Squat: 250kg | Bench: 137.5kg | Deadlift: 237.5kg.
· Pryce Ostermeier, 82.5kg (Grand Island, Neb.) – placed 58th | Squat: 220kg | Bench: 130kg | Deadlift: 245kg.
· Leo Guiza, 100kg (Crete, Neb.) – placed 34th; Squat: 232.5kg | Bench: 155kg | Deadlift: 272.5 kg.
· Jack Hedke, 125kg (Marysville, Kan.) – placed 17th; Squat: 317.5kg | Bench: 160kg | Deadlift: 282.5kg.
· Will Peterson, 140kg (Yutan, Neb.) – placed 5th; Squat: 300kg | Bench: 175kg | Deadlift: 292.5kg.
The Bulldogs will make some more history on Saturday when they host a powerlifting meet for the first time in school history. The competition is slated to get underway at 8 a.m. CT from the PE Center Gym on the Concordia campus. Spectators are encouraged to support the Bulldogs in their first-ever home competition.