Warriors Secure Team Title, Set Three Records at Home Event

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Midland University's women's powerlifting team claimed the team title in the women's raw division at the 2024 Central Collegiate Cup Series over the weekend inside Hopkins Arena. The Warriors amassed 60 points to edge Concordia University (54 points) and Blue Mountain Christian University (51 points).

The Warriors dominated the raw competition, winning five weight classes and earning three runner-up finishes to secure the title.

Ashley Lopez led the way in the 48kg class with a lift total of 337.5kg, while Niquela Vallejos earned runner-up at 52kg with 320kg lifted. Madison Rock not only won the 60kg division with a total of 453.5kg but also set an American Collegiate record with a 178.5kg squat.

At 75kg, Jenna Maler was the runner-up with a total of 457.5kg. Midland swept the top two spots at 82.5kg as Brooke Ruland won with a total of 475kg, followed by Cali Cordova with 460kg. Additional victories came from Kennedi Butcher at 90kg (420kg lifted) and Karly Huerta at 100kg (460kg lifted). Aerianna Segura rounded out the efforts in the 100+kg class with a third-place finish at 422.5kg.

In the equipped division, Midland stood out as the only team with multiple lifters, bolstered by two American Collegiate record-setting performances. Lily Falcone set a new squat record at 48kg with a 162.5kg lift, while Aaliyah Henry broke the deadlift record at 100kg with a lift of 220kg. Both lifters won their respective weight classes.

The Warriors also claimed first-place finishes in the equipped division with Alexis Iglesias (40kg total) at 44kg, Sally Green (405kg) at 52kg, Jennifer Benavidez (510kg) at 67.5kg, Peyton Busteed (505kg) at 75kg, Kaitlin Tagle (472.5kg) at 82.5kg, and Karson Oliver (640kg) at 100+kg.

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.