The LSU powerlifing team has proven a major powerhouse in collegiate lifting since its inception in 1999. This year, the team travels to Orlando, Fla., to compete in the United States of America Powerlifting Collegiate Championships.The women’s and combined LSU powerlifting teams competed at the USAPL Collegiate Championships less than a year after the club’s founding. Both teams earned top 10 finishes.Starting out with only 11 members, the team has now grown to 37 members. Twenty-seven lifters will travel to Orlando to compete in nationals, held April 16-18 in the Orlando International Hotel.The team has produced numerous All-Americans, world competitors and world champions, and won two combined team titles, two women’s titles and one men’s title. LSU will send all three teams back to nationals after winning women’s and combined titles last year.Jacob Warner, public powerlifting liaison, said he is confident the team can fight successfully.”We’re looking to win,” Warner said. “This is what the team trains for year round, and we’re all pretty confident.”Nationals this year feature 50 colleges and more than 275 competitors, both record numbers for the USAPL Collegiate Championships.The increased number of competitors is a challenge, Warner said.”There is a record number of schools competing, but we’re still looking to win,” Warner said.Despite stiff competition the team is ready, Warner said.”It’s always a dogfight, and we’re bringing one of the biggest dogs,” Warner said. “Our championship that we won last year has an expiration date, and we’re looking to renew that expiration date.”—-Contact Mark Clements at [email protected]