LINCOLN, Neb. – Rylee Ladd came away with top honors as one of 19 Bulldogs to represent Concordia University Powerlifting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Husker Strong Collegiate Meet held in Lincoln, Neb., this past Saturday (Oct. 7). Ladd is one of 11 Concordia powerlifters to have already qualified for the national championships to be contested in the spring of 2024. In addition, seven Bulldogs emerged from the season opening meet with championships in their respective weight classes. Powerlifting athletes compete in bench press, squat and deadlift.
The Husker Strong Meet served as a kickoff to year two for Bulldog Powerlifting as a program under Head Coach Freddie Myles. Said Myles, “It was a great start to the season. We’re looking forward to the Central Collegiate Regionals in November.”
Summaries of individual achievements at the meet can be found below. A native of Chetek, Wis., Ladd starred with an impressive showing that included not only the female title at 56kg but also recognition as Best Female Lifter of the competition. In addition, Ladd made all nine of her lifts while eclipsing her own records for her home state of Wisconsin. Already a national qualifier, Kenzie Houser (60kg) enjoyed similar success with a squat that would have broken the record in her home state of Kansas. Houser withdrew from the deadlift but has already qualified for nationals.
Other champions in their respective weight classes at the Husker Strong Meet were Pryce Ostermeier (82.5kg) and Will Peterson (140kg) on the men’s side and Rylee Bentz (67.5kg), Taylor Gniot (90kg), Ladd (56kg class), Abigail Lockingen (100kg) and Abigail Velten (75kg) on the women’s side. Another eight Bulldogs placed second or third. Second-place finishes were claimed by Adrian Hernandez (110kg), Nic Kreich (90kg) and Taylor Meyer (67.5kg).
Concordia Bulldogs at the Husker Strong Meet:
MEN
· Nolan Graupmann – placed third in the 100kg class.
· Adrian Hernandez – placed second in the 110kg class.
· Nic Kriech – placed second in the 90kg class.
· Pryce Ostermeier – won the 82.5kg class.
· Will Peterson – won the 140kg class; made all nine lifts; qualified for nationals.
· Hunter Powers – qualified for nationals in the 75kg class.
· Garrett Reimche – placed third in 75kg class; had already qualified for nationals.
· Adam Widmann – made eight of nine lifts in his first career powerlifting meet.
WOMEN
· Teya Badger – qualified for nationals in the 100+kg class.
· Rylee Bentz – won the 67.5kg class; qualified for nationals.
· Talisa Buhr – placed third in the 67.5kg class; qualified for nationals.
· Ashlyn Felipe – placed third in the 100+kg class; made all nine lifts; qualified for nationals.
· Taylor Gniot – won the 90kg class; made all nine lifts.
· Kenzie Houser – bested her home state (Kansas) record for squat in the 60kg class; withdrew from the deadlift; previously qualified for nationals.
· Rylee Ladd – made all nine lifts; won the 56kg class; bested all her home state (Wisconsin) records; won best female lifter of the competition; had already qualified for nationals.
· Abigail Lockingen – won the 100kg class.
· Taylor Meyer – placed second in the 67.5kg class; made all nine lifts; qualified for nationals.
· Abigail Velten – won the 75kg class.
· Katie Wilson – placed third in the 56kg class; qualified for nationals.
Next up on the powerlifting schedule will be the Central Collegiate Regional Championships in Fremont, Neb., on Nov. 18-19. That meet will be the final chance to qualify for the Collegiate Powerlifting National Championships set for April 2024.