Bulldogs win team title as Hedke stars at Nebraska/Iowa State Championships

By Jacob Knabel on Oct. 21, 2024 in Weightlifting

OMAHA, Neb. – Among eight teams present at the Nebraska/Iowa Weightlifting State Organization (WSO) Championships, the Concordia University, Nebraska Weightlifting team emerged victorious. The Bulldogs took home the team title while led by Best Female Lifter Taylor Hedke in action that took place at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Neb., where the event was sponsored by Heartland Strength on Oct. 19. Hedke and seven other Concordia athletes placed first within their respective weight classes.

The meet in Omaha marked the beginning of year three for the weightlifting program under the direction of Head Coach Freddie Myles.

“I'm proud of the team for their strong performance and first place finish,” Myles said. “They worked hard, and it showed.” Added assistant coach Chevy Stout, “It’s always exciting to see the hard work these athletes put in during training and how it translates to their performance on the competition platform. Bringing home the team champion trophy was a significant achievement and a testament to their dedication and effort.”

Formerly a member of the Bulldog track team, Hedke starred in her ever first weightlifting meet. She executed all six of her lifts while posting bests of 67kg in snatch and 87kg in clean and jerk for a total of 154kg. Concordia’s additional meet champions were Davontai Bell (67kg), HarleyJane Carter (59kg), Evan Fukuhara (73kg), Kenzie Houser (55kg), Enzo Mancini (96kg), Nina Pollack (71kg) and Marcus Sweet (81kg). Meanwhile, Bulldog lifters also combined for five runner-up and one third-place claim. The second-place finishers were Michael Davidge (96kg), Jack Freeman (109+kg), Chloe Gaspar (64kg), Nolan Graupmann (109kg) and Kendrick Pardieu (73kg).

A summary of achievements from the 14 Concordia competitors at the competition is included below. Fukuhara, a junior from Sacramento, Calif., is the reigning 67kg National University Championships titlist. This was the most competitors the Bulldogs have ever entered for a weightlifting meet.

Performance summary:

·        Davontai Bell, 67kg (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) – placed first in the junior category with a 14kg total improvement and qualified for University Nationals.

·        HarleyJane Carter, 59kg (Pueblo West, Colo.) – placed first and qualified for University Nationals.

·        Michael Davidge, 96kg (Grapevine, Texas) – placed second.

·        Jack Freeman, 109+kg (Palm Coast, Fla.) – placed second in the open category and qualified for University Nationals.

·        Evan Fukuhara, 73kg (Sacramento, Calif.) – placed first and qualified for University Nationals.

·        Chloe Gaspar, 64kg (Grand Island, Neb.) – placed second in the junior category with an 11kg total improvement.

·        Nolan Graupmann, 109kg (Goddard, Kan.) – placed second in the junior category with a 12kg total improvement.

·        Taylor Hedke, 64kg (Marysville, Kan.) – placed first and was named Best Female Lifter (67kg in snatch and 87kg in clean and jerk).

·        Adrian Hernandez, 109+kg (Grand Island, Neb.) – placed third in the junior category with a 9kg total improvement.

·        Kenzie Houser, 55kg (Riverton, Kan.) – placed first and qualified for University Nationals.

·        Enzo Mancini, 96kg (Roseville, Calif.) – placed first and qualified for University Nationals.

·        Kendrick Pardieu, 73kg (Coconut Creek, Fla.) – placed second in the junior category with a 16kg total improvement and qualified for the American Open Finals and University Nationals.

·        Nina Pollack, 71kg (Monument, Colo.) – placed first and qualified for University Nationals.

·        Marcus Sweet, 81kg (Navarre, Fla.) – placed first in the junior category with a 10kg total improvement and qualified for University Nationals.

For those who qualify, the next competition on the schedule will be the American Open Finals in Tucson, Ariz., Dec. 5-8. The University Weightlifting National Championships are slated to take place in Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 27-March 2, 2025. In addition, the Bulldogs will host their own competition late in the spring semester (April 26, 2025).