The powerlifting club of LSU competed at collegiate nationals in Omaha, Neb. April 23-25 and the men placed second while the women finished fifth.
Coach Arval Bridges said he was pleased with the team’s performance.
“I’m ecstatic,” Bridges said. “This is the highest finish LSU has had and it puts us in a good position to win next year.”
Steven McLawchlin finished first in the 181-pound weight class which qualifies him for the junior world competition held in South Africa in September. He bettered his total from last year when he finished first in the 165-pound weight class by totaling 668.75 pounds.
David Sharon finished second in the 275+-pound weight class with a total of 770 pounds, and Manuel Ruiz finished second in the 148-pound weight class with a total of 575 pounds, making them alternates for the junior world competition. Sharon finished sixth in the same weight class last year with a total of 725 pounds.
Bridges said the team was able to overcome adversity, but it did cost them a shot at the championship.
“One girl got injured,” Bridges said. “She dislocated her hip when she squatted wrong. We had one young man who couldn’t compete because of a paperwork glitch and with him we could have taken first.”
On the girls side, Jan Morrelo took first in the 148-pound weight class. She bettered her performance from last year when she finished first with a total of 397.5. Jenna Farek took third in the 132-pound weight class totaling 330 pounds.
Bridges said Farek got beat out by a lifter from the University of Louisiana-Monroe. 12.5 pounds separated her and the lifter from ULM.
“Jenna Farek took third and was very close to taking second,” Bridges said. “A girl from ULM beat her by outdeadlifting her.”
LSU results:
For the women, Jenna Farek placed third in the 132-pound weight class, lifting 330 pounds total. Jan Morrelo placed first in the 148-pound weight class and totaled 445 pounds.
For the men, Manuel Ruiz placed second in the 148-pound weight class and totaled 567.5 pounds. Scott Koneni placed ninth in the 165-pound weight class and totaled 575 pounds. Steven McLawchlin placed first in the 181-pound weight class and totaled 828 pounds. Scott Reid placed eighth in the 181-pound weight class and totaled 612.5 pounds.
Daniel McGehee placed 23rd in the 181-pound weight class and totaled 517.5 pounds. Stefan Arnold placed third in the 198-pound weight class and totaled 700 pounds. Darren Cressionnie placed seventh in the 275-pound weight class and totaled 645. David Sharon finished second in the 275+-pound weight class, totaled 770 pounds.