By Easton DeMilla / Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College weightlifting will compete at the USA Weightlifting University Nationals in Salt Lake City with nine qualifiers.

The Vikings bring a young roster, with three lifters making their first trip to nationals. Head coach Jianping Ma said the experience will be valuable.

“I am happy to bring them and go there,” he said. “It is a great experience for them.” 

Senior Thomas Gearllach is one of the three heading to nationals for the first time. 

“I’m looking forward to experiencing the competition and seeing my teammates compete.”

Sophomore Nick Martinez has made major strides in his first year on the team. 

“It was a new learning curve, like anything, but it has been really rewarding and fun,”  Martinez said. “Especially since I’ve never been picked up and slammed by the weights.”

The transition from powerlifting to weightlifting can be a difficult transition, with it being three different lifts. 

Corey Morabito found success immediately and earned a bronze overall with a bronze in both snatch and clean and jerk last year. 

“I hope he can do better,” Ma said. “ I believe he will make a lot of improvements.”

Senior Ot Reid sprang onto the lifting scene as he qualified in his first year with Coach Ma. 

“I’m looking forward to the big stage, the lights and environment, and being with my team,” Ot Reid said. “I’ve been to a few nationals already, and that has always been my favorite thing.”

Reid earned a gold at nationals in snatch and a silver overall last year. 

“Nowadays, I don’t really get nervous because I trust in my abilities, trust in my coaches, and trust in my training,” Reid said. “I really just relax and just lift.”

Madison Woodworth will be the lone female competing for the Vikings, as she previously qualified last year. 

“She will use a new technique in her competition and hopefully get used to that so she can get a good result, ” Ma said.