(LOMBARD, Ill., Oct. 21) – The McKendree University men's powerlifting team had six athletes compete in the USAPL Raw Nationals this past weekend in Lombard, Ill. Five of the six McKendree powerlifters recorded new personal competition bests.
"The team did very well overall, said head coach
Guillermo Blanco. " I'm happy with how the meet went as all of us improved. Individually most of us hit PR's and improved on our previous bests. There are a few things to improve on as we go forward to prepare for Collegiate Nationals at Penn State."
Emmet Metzger (Lockport, IL/Lockport) and
Caleb Rankin (Jackson, MS/Jim Hill High School) both earned second place finishes, the highest of the McKendree competitors. Metzger earned second place in the open 59kg weight class with a 190kg squat, a new personal best 122.5kg bench, and a 237.5kg deadlift for a total of 550kg. Rankin placed second in the teen 120+kg weight class with a 350kg squat, a new personal best 192.5kg bench press, and a new personal best 320 kg deadlift for a career high 817.5kg total.
The next best finish for the Bearcats was
Jordan Spence (Corinth, MS.) who took fifth place in the teen 105kg weight class. Spence finished with three personal bests in competition. The first being in the bench press, lifting a total of 140kg. The next personal best for Spence was a 287.5kg deadlift. Given the other two personal bests, Spence also earned a new career best total with 682.5kg.
Kolby Pierce (Ionia, MI/Ionia) and
Bryce Paszkiewicz (Nashville, IL/Nashville) were also among the top ten finishers for McKendree, both taking sixth place. Pierce collected sixth in the teen 59kg weight class with a personal best 147.5kg squat, a 95kg bench press, and a 147.5kg deadlift for a total of 390kg. Paszkiewicz earned sixth place in the junior 59kg weight class with a 160 kg squat, a 95kg bench, and a 212.5kg deadlift for a total og 467.5kg.
Aaron Sebok (/) recorded a new personal best in his 21
st place finish in the junior 83kg weight class. Sebok collected 225kg in the squat, 150kg in the bench, and recorded a new personal best 242.5kg deadlift for a total of 617.5kg.
The Bearcats will compete next in the 2019 Beast of the Metro East at home in the Perfomance Center Dec. 7-8 with all day competition.
