Warriors Win Central Collegiate Cup Series

FREMONT, Neb. – The Midland University men's powerlifting team showcased its strength this past weekend, winning the 2024 Central Collegiate Cup Series inside Hopkins Arena. The Warriors captured the men's raw division title with 60 points, edging out Blue Mountain Christian University (57 points) and Concordia University (50 points). Midland also competed unopposed in the equipped division.

In the raw competition, Midland claimed six individual weight class titles and had two second-place finishers. Felipe Garza delivered a standout performance at 52kg, setting new American Collegiate records in the squat (165kg), bench press (117.5kg), and deadlift (200kg) for a total of 482.5kg. Angel Martinez added another first-place finish at 56kg with a 472.5kg total.

The Warriors went 1-2 at 67.5kg, with Brady Price taking the title with a total lift of 595kg, followed closely by Weston Hill with 580kg. Trayton Roa won the 82.5kg class with a combined total of 625kg, while teammate Mario Martin finished second with 592.5kg. Jacob Hernandez secured the 140kg crown with a 717.5kg total, and Ray Bowring dominated the 140+ kg class, lifting a remarkable 932.5kg, including a new American Collegiate record deadlift of 340kg.

In the equipped division, 10 Midland lifters competed, with seven earning individual titles. Braden Watson (52kg, 457.5kg), Sebastean Garza (60kg, 562.5kg), Jackson Schultz (67.5kg, 542.5kg), CJ Shuford (75kg, 720kg), Travis Menchaca (90kg, 632.5kg), Kaleb Linares (125kg, 847.5kg), and Brandon Ward (140+kg, 877.5kg) all claimed victories to round out the team's dominant performance.

Up next, Midland will send a group of athletes to compete in the Southern Collegiate Cup Series. The two-day meet gets underway on Saturday, December 7 in Houston, Texas.