MARSHALL, MO - The McKendree University women's powerlifting team won the USA Powerlifting Valley Iron Valkyrie Invitational this past weekend, taking two of the meet's three collegiate divisions. Sylvia Pierce won the middleweight division, Leila Galloway claimed the lightweight title, and the Bearcats earned five individual podium finishes.
PIERCE TAKES THE MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE
Pierce posted a 387.5-kilogram total, combining a 132.5-kilogram squat, 100-kilogram bench press and 155-kilogram deadlift. She and Missouri Valley's Ria Gardner finished with identical lifting totals, but Pierce took first with the higher bodyweight-adjusted DOTS score.
Marijayne Hochgraber placed fourth in the division with a 345-kilogram total, while Marisela Velasquez finished fifth at 325 kilograms.
GALLOWAY WINS LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
Galloway totaled 297.5 kilograms to finish first among collegiate lightweights. Her best lifts were a 105-kilogram squat, 60-kilogram bench press and 132.5-kilogram deadlift.
Jlynn Fernandez placed third with a 252.5-kilogram total. Cherish Anderson finished sixth at 232.5 kilograms, Claire Dudley took seventh at 250 kilograms, and Abbi McClellan placed eighth at 235 kilograms.
REESE LEADS HEAVYWEIGHT FINISHERS
Carly Reese placed second in the collegiate heavyweight division with a 460-kilogram total, the highest three-lift total by a collegiate competitor at the meet. She recorded a 195-kilogram squat, 100-kilogram bench press and 165-kilogram deadlift.
Maram Makhlouf joined Reese on the podium, finishing third with a 395-kilogram total. Trinity Mook placed fourth at 387.5 kilograms, and Gabby Cabrera took fifth at 360 kilograms.
HE SAID IT - QUOTE FROM COACH BRAD BECHEL
"I'm very happy with this first competition for our women's team. Senior Silvia Pierce and freshman Leila Galloway won their divisions securing us the team win. It was great to see our upperclassmen returning to the platform still in stride from nationals, as well as our freshmen looking very sharp. I'm very optimistic about our women's team season and what's to come."
