Powerlifting Shines at the 2025 USAPL Collegiate Nationals
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The East Central University powerlifting team delivered a strong performance at the 2025 USAPL Collegiate Nationals in April, with six athletes qualifying through the Fall and Winter meets. Competing close to home in Oklahoma City, the Tigers came in focused and determined to make their mark.
The men's raw team earned a 29th-place finish out of 104 universities, while the women's raw team secured 87th place in a highly competitive field.
Day 1 - April 3rd
In Session 3,
Jacob Smith placed 30th out of 38 lifters in the Men's Raw Collegiate 60 kg weight class. Jacob made a notable 20-pound weight cut before weigh-ins on Day 1 to compete. Despite the challenge, he went 6/9 on his attempts, missing only his third attempt on each lift.
Day 2 - April 4th
In Session 2,
Linsey Reed placed 42nd out of 55 lifters in the Women's Raw Collegiate 70 kg weight class. As a freshman, Linsey's qualification for the USAPL Collegiate Nationals was an impressive achievement in itself. She also set an All-Time Personal Record (PR) in the deadlift, hitting 162.5 kg (360 lbs), which is more than twice her body weight.
Day 3 - April 5th
In Session 3,
Myles Branson, who has been powerlifting with ECU for three years, finally qualified for Collegiate Nationals as a junior in the Men's Raw Collegiate 110 kg weight class. Though things didn't go as planned on the platform, Myles finished the meet, demonstrating resilience and a strong character. The experience gained will certainly help him come back even stronger next year.
Day 4 - April 6th
In Session 1,
Briana Perez improved on her performance from last year's Collegiate Nationals in Atlanta. She went 5/9 on her attempts and finished with a 170 kg (375 lbs) deadlift, placing 13th in the Women's Raw Collegiate 100 kg weight class.
In Session 2,
Hunter Franks had a notable performance in his first USAPL Collegiate Nationals appearance. He recorded the 4th highest squat in the 140+ kg weight class with an All-Time Personal Record of 317.5 kg (700 lbs). This was a number the team had been working toward since Winter Break, and he performed well under pressure. Hunter finished 7th out of 8 lifters, an impressive result for only his second year of powerlifting.
Also in Session 2,
Sydney Robinson came into Collegiate Nationals with a clear goal and executed it well. As a sophomore, Syd placed 5th in the Men's Raw Collegiate 140+ kg weight class, securing a podium finish. He hit a 295 kg (650 lbs) squat, a 147.5 kg (325 lbs) bench press (All-Time PR), and a 295 kg (650 lbs) deadlift (All-Time PR), totaling a strong 737.5 kg (1,626 lbs).
Looking Ahead
The ECU powerlifting team will compete one last time this season on Sunday, May 4
th at Brewhouse Barbell in Oklahoma City for the 2025 Collegiate Deadlift Championship.
