Men's Powerlifting 4/17/2024 4:59:00 PM

Powerlifting RECAP: Falcon Men record top-five finish at USA Collegiate Nationals

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Friends University Men's and Women's Powerlifting Falcons competed at the USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals, with the Falcon Men posting a top-five national finish in Atlanta, Ga.

The women fought a tough battle with several lifters placing just outside the top 10. Jocelyn Cardona (who just started powerlifting in August) had a great showing in her first ever national appearance by completing eight of her nine attempts and achieving a massive 40lb platform PR on deadlift.

Makayla Gonzales also made her national debut in the 48kg weight class and barely missed a top 10 finish. Maddie Perez had a good first Nationals experience as well, going 7/9 and almost cracking the top half of a stacked 60kg weight class. Gennie Vitt barely missed a third attempt squat that forced the Falcons to go a bit higher on her deadlift. She finished just 7.5kg/15lbs away from the Top 10 in a very competitive 75kg weight class.

Senior Jazzmyn Williams competed at her very first Nationals and had an amazing meet going 8/9 and finishing the day with a massive 402lb deadlift. Senior Tapanga Morgan snagged a 10th place finish, completing 7/9 attempts and barley missing her fourth attempt deadlift of 402lbs on a technicality that would have bumped her to a ninth place finish. Senior Yesenia Arellano was the only Friends athlete to have a perfect meet, completing all of her attempts and personal records on every single lift, adding over 75lbs to her platform total PR. Senior Allyson Sparks competed in her final national meet and had a solid day going 8/9 and placing 18th in the country in the 100kg+ weight class.

Senior Harley Lang battled all day but came up short on a crucial third attempt squat on depth to wrap up the day with 6/9 attempts and a 14th place finish. Freshman Macey Kress pulled away from everyone with her fast and easy 3rd attempt 195kg/430lb squat. The top 10 was just a little out of reach, but she placed 11th, 15kg behind 10th.

The Falcon Men's top-five showing will result in a shiny new banner for the multipurpose room. Going into Day four, the team sat in 37th place. But with crucial performances by several members, they made a big charge and surged into the fifth place podium spot.

Senior Challen Jimenez snagged a top 10 spot by placing ninth in the 56kg weight class going 8/9. Junior Paul Herrera finished with 12th place, narrowly missing a third attempt deadlift that would have placed him in the top 10. Sophomore Thomas Noonan gave everyone a show when he attempted a state record 589lb deadlift on his third attempt, which came off the floor easily but he couldn't quite finish.

Freshman Bradan Balman had a tough day at this first Nationals experience. An extreme illness five days before the platform took too much out of him and he was unable to complete his opening squat. Balman will be back with a vengeance next year. Freshman Roman Vrana had a tough day as well finishing 4/9 on his attempts but secured a huge platform PR on deadlift. Junior

Jacob Castellanos made his comeback and definitely made a statement. Castellanos went 7/9 on the day and increased his platform total PR by 10kg, even without hitting his last two deadlift attempts. Freshman Bryce Ballard had an impressive first national experience by placing seventh in a competitive 140kg weight class. He went 7/9 and PR'd his squat, bench, and total platform numbers. Senior Stephen Acosta competed in his final national meet after battling back from a pec tear during football season and ended the day in 14th place going 7/9 on his attempts.

Freshman Christian Landeros helped fuel the Falcons' top-five showing and PR'd his squat and PR'd his total by over 20kg. Senior Manuel Martinez also made his presence known with a 903lb third attempt squat, adding over 70lbs to his platform PR. He finished in second place – the Falcons' highest team finisher of the weekend.

Outside the competition, the team enjoyed a day in Atlanta after the meet thanks to several generous donors. They rode the train, toured the Georgia Aquarium, the Coke Museum, and strolled through Centennial Park.

The national meet marks the end of Falcon head coach Kate Jones's first season as a collegiate coach. The athletes are already ready to get back to work for their off season where they will continue to improve mind, body, and spirit so they can represent Friends University at the highest level again next year.

Full Falcon results from the USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals

Women's Results

Team: 35th/109

48kg Weight Class

Makayla Gonzales - 7/9

Squat: 85kg/Bench: 45kg/Deadlift: 117.5kg

Place: 11/12

52kg Weight Class

Jocelyn Cardona - 8/9

Squat: 80kg/Bench: 52.5kg/Deadlift: 100kg

Place: 30/31

60kg Weight Class