by Kylian Galtier / Staff Writer

The Missouri Valley College powerlifting teams competed at the USAPL Collegiate Nationals in Atlanta from April 11 to 14.

During the competition, the women’s team had its best performance in program history, finishing in fourth place, and the men’s team produced one All-American.

On the women’s side, five athletes finished in the top 11 of their respective weight classes, which explains why the team has achieved its best performance in history.

These great results satisfied the team which is now dreaming about even better performances.

Lauren Bates, fourth in her weight class (100kg+) said: “I was beyond satisfied with my teams results. I want to keep building and place us higher and higher.”

On the men’s side, the team finished in eleventh place, with three athletes in the top 10 of their respective weight classes. Corey Morabito, third in his weight class (60kg), earned All-American honors for his performance.

Making good results despite the stakes of the competition is also a difficulty that the Missouri Valley College’s athletes were able to realize.

Gabriel Pineda, ninth in his weight class (100kg) said: “I am happy with the results because it showed me that no matter the pressure, I am in I don’t break.”

Overall, the USAPL Collegiate Nationals was a success for Missouri Valley College’s powerlifters.

Coach Daniel Capps said: “I am extremely proud of how we did overall. Nothing is ever perfect, and you would like to have a few re-do’s here and there, but that’s not within the nature of what we do either.”

For him, there is still many great goals to achieve in the next years.

“The biggest achievement for our teams would be first, a National Championship in any of the four divisions at Collegiate Nationals,” he said.

He also pointed out that not only physical performances are important and many other aspects matter.

“The overall goal though is to develop our student-athletes into not only high achievers on the platform, but also in the classroom, then moving on through the rest of their lives to be positive difference makers in their careers and daily lives,” Capps said.