2025 National University Championships Info
SEWARD, Neb. – A program record 13 Bulldogs are preparing to represent the Concordia University, Nebraska Weightlifting program at the 2025 Weightlifting National University Championships. The event will run from Feb. 27 through March 2 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Sponsored by USA Weightlifting, the event is part of the Arnold Sports Festival and is scheduled to include 423 athletes.
Head Coach Freddie Myles took four athletes to the 2023 national championships and then traveled six competitors to the 2024 national stage. Junior Evan Fukuhara emerged from Columbus as the 2024 67kg national champion. Fukuhara will make his third-straight appearance at the national championships. Other returning national qualifiers for the Bulldogs are Michael Davidge, Nolan Graupmann, Adrian Hernandez and Gracy Johnson.
Concordia 2025 national competitors
Men
· Michael Davidge (Grapevine, Texas); returning national qualifier
· Jack Freeman (Palm Coast, Fla.)
· Evan Fukuhara (Sacramento, Calif.); returning national champion
· Nolan Graupmann (Goddard, Kan.); returning national qualifier
· Adrian Hernandez (Grand Island, Neb.); returning national qualifier
· Enzo Mancini (Roseville, Calif.)
· Kaiden Mima (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Women
· Harley Jane Carter (Pueblo West, Colo.)
· Chloe Gaspar (Grand Island, Neb.)
· Taylor Hedke (Marysville, Kan.)
· Kenzie Houser (Riverton, Kan.)
· Gracy Johnson (Coon Rapids, Iowa); returning national qualifier
· Nina Pollack (Monument, Colo.)
The 2024-25 competition season has included the Nebraska State Weightlifting Championships (Oct. 19) and the American Open Weightlifting Finals (Dec. 5-8). The Bulldogs won the team title at the Nebraska State Championships as Taylor Hedke was named Best Female Lifter. Hedke was one of eight Concordia athletes to place first within their respective weight classes. Additional meet champions were Davontai Bell (67kg), Harley Jane Carter (59kg), Evan Fukuhara (73kg), Kenzie Houser (55kg), Enzo Mancini (96kg), Nina Pollack (71kg) and Marcus Sweet (81kg). At the North American Open Finals, Michael Davidge, Gracy Johnson and Marcus Sweet each posted personal best totals.
The National University Championships will be streamed live via the following link: https://www.usaweightlifting.org/live. Once the national championships conclude, Concordia will have one more event to look forward to. The program will host the Concordia Weightlifting Open on April 26.