Fremont, Neb. -- Sophomore, junior, and senior Friends University Falcon powerlifters competed in their first meet of the 2025-2026 season at the Nebraska Collegiate Cup in Fremont, Neb. Almost all the top five teams from last year's Collegiate Nationals were present, including Concordia, McKendree, Midland, and Davenport.

"It was exciting to compete against top-level collegiate teams," said Friends powerlifting head coach Kate Jones. "It's great practice for the pressure we'll face at Collegiate Nationals in April. Our athletes were able to go head-to-head with some of the best lifters in the country, and that pushes the lifters to be the best they can be but also exposes where we need to improve. Both are necessary for growing throughout the season which can be long and monotonous." 

Notable performances came from senior Gennie Vitt, making her debut in the 82.5kg weight class. She hit a massive 468lbs squat, tying the current Kansas State Open record and beating her best by over 60lbs. She followed suit with a PR bench press of 248lbs (22lb PR) and 402lb (11lb PR) deadlift, securing the win for her weight class over the previous National Champ by over 50lbs. Senior Jocelyn Cardona placed 2nd in the 56kg weight class and secured a National Qualifying total. She is now qualified in both 52kg and 56kg weight classes. Junior Jess Rosario added 20kg to her all-time best total.

The men's team had an exciting day with four athletes (Micah Barron, Bradan Balman, Gage Bowerk, and Chase Martindale) hitting the qualifying total for the 82.5kg weight class. Junior Bradan Balman put himself in a position to pull for the weight class win, but unfortunately it wasn't quite there. He hit a massive 595lb squat, followed by a platform best 363lb on bench and 584lb deadlift. Junior Christian Landeros cruised past the heavy weight competition to secure first place with a 705lb squat, 451lb bench press, and 600lb deadlift. Sophomore Brenndon Rivera also had a great day on the platform, losing the top spot by just 5kg. He added over 100lbs to his total since Collegiate Nationals in April. Ivan Rangel made his debut as Friends' first ever equipped lifter. He qualified for Nationals without his bench shirt on, which needed a bit more time to break in.

Without a full squad, the men's team placed just outside of third by just one point, setting up a very promising Top 5 chance at Nationals. The ladies only brought three lifters and finished third out of four teams.

Up next for the Falcons will be the USAPL Kansas State Championship on January 31. This will be the final chance for lifters to reach a qualifying total. The Falcons currently have 20 athletes who have reached a qualifying total, punching their tickets to New Orleans in April.

Full Meet Results

Team Scoring Results

Individual Results
Jocelyn Cardona (56kg/123lbs)
6/9 on attempts                            
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
Squat = 92.5kg/203lbs
Bench = 62.5kg               /137lbs
Deadlift = 115kg/253lbs
Gennie Vitt (82.5kg/181lbs)
9/9 on attempts                            
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
Squat = 212.5kg/468lbs
Bench = 112.5kg/248lbs
Deadlift = 182.5kg/402lbs
Jess Rosario (82.5/181lbs)
6/9 on attempts                            
Squat = 107.5kg/237lbs            
Bench = 70kg/154lbs
Deadlift = 125kg/275lbs
Ivan Rangel (110kg/242lbs) EQUIPPED
6/9 on attempts                            
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
Squat = 260kg/573lbs 
Bench = 137.5kg/303lbs
Deadlift = 265kg/584lbs
Brenndon Rivera (67.5kg/148lbs)
6/9 on attempts                            
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
Squat = 230kg/507lbs 
Bench = 115kg/253lbs
Deadlift = 255kg/562lbs
Gilbert Perez (67.5kg/148lbs)
5/9 on attempts                            
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
Squat = 202.5kg/446lbs            
Bench = 120kg/264lbs
Deadlift = 227.5kg/501lbs
Thomas Noonan (75kg/165lbs)
5/9 on attempts                            
Squat = 192.5kg/424lbs            
Bench = 117.5kg/259lbs
Deadlift = 250kg/551lbs
Izaak Garza (75kg/165lbs)
5/9 on attempts                            
Squat = 195kg/429lbs 
Bench = 117.5kg/259lbs
Deadlift = 207.5kg/457lbs
Bradan Balman (82.5kg/181lbs)
6/9 on attempts                            
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
Squat = 270kg/595lbs 
Bench = 165kg/363lbs
Deadlift = 265kg/584lbs
Micah Barron (82.5kg/181lbs)
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
8/9 on attempts                            
Squat = 245kg/540lbs 
Bench = 137.5kg/303lbs
Deadlift = 267.5kg/589lbs
Chase Martindale (82.5kg/181lbs)
6/9 on attempts                            
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
Squat = 232.5kg/512lbs            
Bench = 127.5kg/281lbs
Deadlift = 250kg/551lbs
Gage Bowker (82.5kg/181lbs)
6/9 on attempts                            
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
Squat = 227.5kg/501lbs            
Bench = 152.5kg/336lbs
Deadlift = 230kg/507lbs
Max Burns (82.5kg/181lbs)
5/9 on attempts                            
Squat = 215kg/473lbs 
Bench = 120kg/264lbs
Deadlift = 242.5kg/534lbs
Chase Phelps (110kg/242lbs)
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
7/8 on attempts                            
Squat = 225kg/496lbs 
Bench = 185kg/407lbs
Deadlift = 250kg/551lbs
Ayden Slieter (125kg/275lbs)
4/8 on attempts                            
Squat = 247.5kg/545lbs            
Bench = 122.5kg/270lbs
Deadlift = 267.5kg/589lbs
Michael Robey (140kg/308lbs)
7/9 on attempts                            
Squat = 270kg/595lbs 
Bench = 155kg/341lbs
Deadlift = 232.5kg/512lbs
Christian Landeros (140kg+/308lbs+)
NATIONALLY QUALIFIED
8/9 on attempts                            
Squat = 320kg/705lbs 
Bench = 205kg/451lbs
Deadlift = 272.5kg/600lbs