By Easton DeMilia / Staff Writer

This year saw a historic number of qualifiers for the powerlifting team, as 22 individuals are ready to compete and represent Missouri Valley College at the USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals.

The team will compete from April 9 to 12 in New Orleans.

Powerlifting was added at the Missouri Valley in 2018, and has high hopes heading into the USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals eight years later.

“It is exciting not only to have a program record number of competitors, but I am mostly excited for these kids,” head coach Danny Capps said. “We have quite a few freshmen going and making their first trip.”

This class of freshmen has stepped up to the challenge, with 10 freshmen qualifying.

“We have a great mix of freshmen that came in, and especially our freshman women, ” Capps said. “A lot of them qualified at that very first meet. We also have sophomores and upperclassmen who know what it is about. You don’t have to do a lot of talking about working harder with this group.”

The staff features a strong leadership group, including two All-Americans from last year. Lauren Bates, a graduate assistant, will help keep the team locked in and help the athletes understand what the atmosphere is like.

“She is going to drive a bus, and she is going to help coach,” Capps said. “She will be helping with all the above.”

The other returning All-American, Audrey Schoch, will be competing and coaching.

“Audrey is a graduate assistant as well,” Capps said. “It is pretty exciting with her because we have treated her as equal parts coach and athlete. At the same time, she has some big things that she looks to accomplish at nationals.”

Audrey Schoch, looking for All-American honors again, has enjoyed her added role this year as well.

“It is a new experience getting used to coaching while prepping for competition, but setting time to have separate sessions with athletes to break down technique has made it easier,” Audrey Schoch said. “I also coach and give pointers in between sets, or while I’m warming up, it has allowed me to do both lift and coach without neglecting either.”

Her determination has led to her success, and that is what she displays every time she is in the weight room.

“I feel that leading by example is an important part of not only being a leader but a coach,” Schoch said. “If you exemplify what you should be doing to prepare, others who are willing to learn will follow.”

Audrey Schoch will be with the athletes and help them understand exactly what to expect while being alongside them and waiting for her name to be called to lift.

“I feel that my experience being in large competitions helps prepare athletes with advice that they might not consider compared to local meets,” Shoch said. “Nationals has over thousands of lifters, spotlights in your face, cheering and loud music, and there’s no preparing for it, just knowing how to block out the noise and calm down can make the difference between a good and bad day competing.”

Calming her nerves is difficult, but she has found a way to stay calm on the big stage.

“People create scenarios from not knowing, especially while competing, so my best advice is to just show up with a personal goal and the rest will unfold in God’s plan,” Schoch said.

Missouri Valley has two members returning to the national stage with national recognition. The other athlete is Caiden Sanford, who earned a medal, earning fifth place last year.

“At the national stage, there is a mix of excitement and pressure,” Caiden Sanford said. “ You feel proud to represent where you came from.”

The pressure was not too much for the freshman last year, as he looks for national honors again this year a weight class up.

“I’m looking for the opportunity to go against some of the best and push myself to the next level,” Sanford said. “All of us worked hard this year, and I’m excited to see how we all showcase this.”

Along with the returning success, Dakota Todd has become the first adaptive athlete to qualify  for USA Powerlifting and compete for the Missouri Valley.

“Definitely excited for him, too. His qualification is not a participation trophy,” Capps said. “Dakota does not have a right hand and does not have a right pectoral because of Poland syndrome. He squats over 500 pounds, dead lifts close to 500 pounds, and bench presses around 200 pounds.”

The team has built a culture around putting their head down and getting to work.

“I think we have a great mix of talent and work ethic,” Capps said. “Everyone seems to gel.”

Athletes Competing

Women’s

Audrey Schoch | Grad. 

Sarah Khamis | Senior

Alexis Duenas | Senior

Delaney Welker | Sophomore

Hannah Miller | Sophomore

Presleigh Watson | Freshman

Karianna Sanchez | Freshman

Desiree Alaniz | Freshman

Emily (Beira) Andujo | Freshman

Ria Gardner  | Freshman

Sydnee Jackson Sophomore

Men’s

Gabriel Pineda | Senior

Nicholas Ballard | Junior

Myles Mobley | Sophomore

Nicholas Moore | Sophomore

Caiden Sanford | Sophomore

Abdelrahman Shehata-Larbi | Sophomore

Matthew Nong | Freshman

Logan Horton | Freshman

Dakota Todd | Freshman

Norberto Garza | Freshman

Malakai Meyer | Freshman