2024 Powerlifting America HS Nationals – Preview & Predictions

Apr 17, 2024

2024 Powerlifting America High School Powerlifting Nationals Preview and Predictions

    2024 Powerlifting America HS Nationals Preview/Predictions

April 19-21, New Orleans, LA

All the preparation has been completed and it is go time!  The atmosphere, details, and hospitality that John Burford, Mark Leebrick, and the Powelifting America national office have in store are waiting for you in New Orleans. 

As most people know at this point, a huge underlying storyline of the weekend will be the opportunity to quality and represent Team USA at international competitions.  Many lifters are seeking to compete at the IPF Sub-Junior (& Junior) World Championships in Malta OR the North American Powerlifting (NAPF) Championshps in Arizona this summer.  Two amazing opportunities!  This is only one of the qualifying meets, but a large portion of those team positions will start taking shape (not finalized) this weekend.  Need more details?  Here is a website with the detailed selection process.  

Friendly reminder that it is not too late to purchase photo and video packages with PSB Productions.  Marshall and his crew will not disappoint.  Let them take care of capturing the moment.  

Seedings/Predictions

We are not the only ones to do the research and keep an extensive database.  Several of the coaches already have a solid idea of what the potential of every lifter could be this weekend in New Orleans.  However, we are the only ones who have published it before the meet starts.  Ultimately, we are trying to inform and create a narrative for others (parents, friends, etc.) to enjoy the anticipated battles that many of the coaches and lifters may already know about.  

Disclaimer:  It is sad that there has to be a disclaimer, but the seedings and comments below are subjective opinions.  It will be proven to be full of errors, including a few major embarrassing comments below.  We have no inside information; we are only using publicly available data.  Anything can happen (and we hope it does).  There is a reason we show up and compete on the same platform.  We wish the best of luck to all the competitors. 

Prediction #1:  I have underestimated the Pennsylvania lifters.  I already know the feedback that I am going to receive before lifting begins, and it will be about under-seeding the Pennsylvania lifters.  We have the least amount of data on these lifters.  Our apologies in advance; we look forward to you upending several of the class seedings below.  Maybe I didn’t underestimate as much as I thought.

Friday – Day 1 (Junior Varsity Division)

There are 84 Junior Varsity Division competitors on Friday.  We will be watching and look forward to posting several of the lifters that impressed with their performance.  For most of these lifters, this will be their first time on a national platform.  They will be gaining invaluable experience and confidence that will help them (and their teams) for future competitions.

Transparency… I will be refereeing on this day and besides counting the number of lifters (84), in order to eliminate any perceived bias, I have not researched any of the lifters or what performances to be expected.  

Saturday – Day 2 Seedings 

Male Classic

– 53kg Class –

  1. Benjamin Clarke – Oak Creek HS, WI (1)
  2. Cole Curtis – Climax-Scotts HS, MI (DNF)

This will definitely come down to deadlifts, and either Benjamin or Cole could win.  

– 59kg Class –

  1. Michael Simmons (2006) – Manheim Central HS, PA (1)
  2. Sean Murray – Holly HS, MI (DNC)
  3. Dylan Tran – Dutchtown HS, LA (4)
  4. Satoshi Rosenblum – Parkland HS, PA (5)
  5. Patrick Devine – Middletown HS North, PA (3)
  6.  Justin Noller – Unattached, GA (2)

Michael is the top seed based on the highest qualifying total, but several lifters have not competed in quite some time.  I don’t have much confidence in these seedings.  

– 66kg Class –

  1. Daniel Harris (2006) – Norris HS, NE (1)
  2. Matthew Twist – Valley Christian HS, AZ (4)
  3. Esteban Mallory – Hampshire HS, IL (3)
  4. Eldridge Peabody – The Hun School of Princeton, NJ (2)
  5. Tyler Dehoff – Central York HS, PA (5)

Daniel is the defending 66kg IPF Sub-Junior World Champion.  If anyone is looking for the IPF sub-junior world records to compare Daniel’s (& others) lifts, keep them handy. The battle for the rest of the podium will be on. 

– 74kg Class –

  1. Elliottt Sykes (2006) – Cherry Hill East HS, NJ (1)
  2. Rito Flores – Eagle Pass HS, TX (2)
  3. Andyn Grubb – Plano Seniro HS, TX (3)
  4. Weston Lisemby – Coronado HS, TX (4)
  5. CJ Wallace – Manalapan HS, NJ (DNC)

Elliott is the #1 ranked lifter in the country, according to our composite rankings at PowerliftingHigh.us.  Elliott will exceed (unofficial) the current IPF sub-junior world records by a wide margin and put on a show Saturday evening.  A must-watch!  The rest of this class is impressive (& unpredictable).  We are looking forward to watching several Texas lifters battle it out for podium spots.  Elliot and the Texas lifters did not disappoint!  It was a pleasure meeting Elliott.  He has a bright future in the sport!

– 83kg Class –

  1. Dylan Albert – Thibodaux HS, LA (1)
  2. Hayden Pittman – Unattached, GA (2)
  3. Matthew Noe – North Gwinnett HS, GA (3)
  4. Ethan Downey – Dover Area HS, PA (4)
  5. Yanni Galanakis – Abington Heights HS, PA (5)

Looking forward to watching the Georgia and Pennsylvania lifters in this class.  Dylan is a locked prediction and will cruise to victory.

 

Male Equipped

– 53kg Class –

  1. Brock Harvey – Denham Springs HS, LA (1)
  2. Daniel Hale – Covington HS, LA (2)

It will be close at subtotal, but Brock should have the advantage with the heavier of the deadlifts.

– 59kg Class –

  1. Jonathan Becerril (2006) – Perryton HS, TX (1)
  2. JT Sylvera (2006) – Covington HS, LA (2)
  3. Bryce Toups – Covington HS, LA (4)
  4. Kade Kulpinski – Donovan Catholic HS, NJ (3)
  5. Jesse Johnson – Sacred Heart HS, LA (5)
  6. Reese Hamilton – Northlake Christian School, LA (6)
  7. David Galeas – Northlake Christian School, LA (7)
  8. Brandon Manthey – Adams-Friendship HS, WI (9)
  9. Giovanni Maccanelli – William Horlick HS, WI (10)
  10. George Cunningham – Unattached, NC (8)

2023 IPF Sub-Junior World Champion (at 53kg), Jonathan Becerril, will be fun to watch.  I am equally excited to watch JT Sylvera.  Kade is a bit of an unknown.  Teammates Reese (extra BW) and David should be interesting.  No matter how much you disagree with these predictions and seedings, I guarantee that no one is as mad as my wife about them.  That was a fun class to watch.

– 66kg Class –

  1. Nathan Lovemore (2006) – Natchitoches Central HS, LA (1)
  2. Angel Flores – Perryton HS, TX (2)
  3. Rayshone Manuel – Franklinton HS, LA (DNF)
  4. Brett Falco – Covington HS, LA (4)
  5. Joshua Thompson – Dutchtown HS, LA (3)

This is a loaded class!  Nathan will be the heavy favorite; he will have had a busy, but great month of lifting.  Angel vs Rayshone might come down to the last deadlifts.  It will be interesting to see both Angel and Joshua perform with extra body weight.  This class did not dissapoint.  Joshua finished 3rd, but he is going to be a lifter to watch out for in the future.  

– 74kg Class –

  1. Eric Arbour – Dutchtown HS, LA (2)
  2. Jackson Bice – Northshore HS, LA (1)
  3. Reagan Grimley – Saint Paul’s School, LA (DNC)
  4. Beau St. Romain – Sacred Heart HS, LA (4)
  5. Logan Young – Germantown HS, WI (3)

Eric is the favorite here and has an outstanding deadlift, but he will have to execute.  Jackson will be close, which makes this far from being called in advance.  Congrats, Jackson had a textbook day!

– 83kg Class –

  1. Jeremiah Morgan – Slidell HS, LA (1)
  2. Javier Martinez – Perryton HS, TX (2)
  3. Nathan Stan – Fontainebleau HS, LA (3)
  4. Ty Felle – William Horlick HS, WI (4)
  5. Kole Miller – Pine HS, LA (5)

This will come down to the very last deadlift on Saturday night!  I’m basically flipping a coin between Jeremiah and Javier.  This is a must watch!  I’m also not confident about the rest of the seedings.  Someone like Chase (6) or Alex (7) could sneak into the Top 5.  A little too much for Javier on the final pull for the win.

 

Female Classic

– 47kg Class –

  1. Jaden Clapsadl – Susquehannock HS, PA (2)
  2. Lyla Stecker – Oak Creek HS, WI (1)

Jaden or Lyla could win.  Slight edge to Jaden for having the experience of competing at last year’s high school nationals.

– 52kg Class –

  1. Lauren Jansen (2006) – New Richmond HS, WI (1st in 57kg Class)
  2. Jannaleah Newmwn – Abington Heights HS, PA (2)
  3. Isabella Bilyeu – Prior Lake HS, MN (1)
  4. Abigail Kovac – Pittston Area HS, PA (3)
  5. Mallory Knott – Abington Heights HS, PA (4)

Lauren has the momentum going into this meet and earned the top seed.  2nd-5th is a complete toss-up.  

– 57kg Class –

  1. Octavia Hill (2005) – Ardmore HS, OK (DNC)
  2. Mira Stecker – Oak Creek HS, WI (3)
  3. Ryley Liller – Pittston Area HS, PA (2)

Octavia is a lock in this class.  

– 63kg Class –

  1. Brooke Naegel (2006) – Unattached, SC (1)
  2. Kameron Delap – Viroqua HS, WI (2)
  3. Eleanor Lake – Waunakee Community HS, WI (3)
  4. Clare Mailey – Dover Area HS, PA (4)

Brooke is a lock and has her eyes set on the IPF Sub-Junior World Championships in Malta.  

 

Female Equipped

– 43kg Class –

  1. Cara McFarland – Slidell HS, LA (DNF)

Great team points for Slidell!

– 47kg Class –

  1. Jayla Johnson (2006) – Lutcher HS, LA (1)
  2. Camille Crutcher (2007) – Covington HS, LA (2)
  3. Katelynn Billiot – Slidell HS, LA (4)
  4. Madeline Fuselier – Sacred Heart HS, LA (3)
  5. Izzy Castagnette – Covington HS, LA (5)

Clean sweep by Louisiana lifters?  Is this a preview of the final team standings?  Jayla will be trying to make it back on Team USA. 

– 52kg Class –

  1. Caroline Lagarde (2006) – Northlake Christian, LA (2)
  2. Adeline Launey – Sacred Heart HS, LA (1)
  3. Isabelle Gazdecki – Germantown HS, WI (4)
  4. Caylee Navas – Donovan Catholic HS, NJ (3)
  5. Madlyn Keller – Germantown HS, WI (5)

What a storyline!  Who will outshine in the battle between Caroline and Adeline?  Will it take going nine for nine?  Adeline!

– 57kg Class –

  1. Amelie Dupuis – Teurlings Catholic HS, LA (1)
  2. Lila Cooper (2007) – Covington HS, LA (2)
  3. Lilly Alonso – Pope John Paul Catholic HS, LA (3)
  4. Mimi Oganyan – Lakeshore HS, LA (7)
  5. Leyna Koepke – Hershey HS, PA (6)

Amelie has earned the top seed throughout the season.  Lila will not be far behind.  3rd-8th places could be separated by only 20kgs; anyone can medal!  3rd-8th place was separated by 25kg.

– 63kg Class –

  1. Eva Polini (2007) – Northshore HS, LA (1)
  2. Hanah Seehafer – Adams-Friendship HS, WI (2)
  3. Abby Quibodeaux – Sacred Heart HS, LA (6)
  4. Abbey Kelley – Germantown HS, WI (3)
  5. Uma Abakarova – Hershey HS, PA (5)

Eva is the clear top seed, with her eye on making Team USA.  Abbey vs Abby will close.  

Sunday – Day 3 Seedings

Female Classic

– 69kg Class –

  1. Crystal Hernandez – Mansfield Legacy HS, TX (1)

Let’s go, Crystal!

– 76kg Class –

  1. Katherine Puhala – Memorial Senior HS, TX (1)
  2. Amelia Gercken – Abington Heights HS, PA (2)
  3. Sagan Marks – Susquehhannock HS, PA (3)

Katherine looks to be the favorite, but Amelia has international experience and we have less data on her progression.  I think this will be close.  

– 84kg Class –

  1. Jocelyn Romero-Billowitch – Parkland HS, PA (2)
  2. Aracely Del Aguila – St. Francis HS, WI (1)

Complete toss-up!  This will be the first class I take a peak at when openers get posted.

– 84+kg Class –

  1. Kaylee Mann – Abington Heights HS, PA (1)
  2. Noella Weger – Pius XI HS, WI (4)
  3. Anika Klawikowski – Whitefish Bay HS, WI (2)
  4. Samantha Franke – Pius XI HS, WI (3)

Kaylee is the defending champion and will be very hard to beat and looks like a lock.  I am not confident in my seeding for 2nd-4th. 

Female Equipped

– 69kg Class –

  1. Celeste Godinez – Tuloso-Midway HS, TX (DNC)
  2. Amaiya Fobb – Lutcher HS, LA (1)
  3. Cali Cefalu – Covington HS, LA (2)
  4. Madison Crain – Slidell HS, LA (10)
  5. Alana Bailey – Covington HS, LA (6)

Can Celeste come to South Louisiana and beat a class full of great lifters who are from the area?  I think it will be extremely close and I am almost expecting Amaiya to have the last deadlift in her hands for the win.  

– 76kg Class –

  1. Vanesss Chavira – Perryton HS, TX (1)
  2. Kaylee Robin – Covington HS, LA (3)
  3. Baylee Donovan – Iola-Scandinavia HS, WI (5)
  4. Natalie Janke – Germantown HS, WI (2)
  5. Elizabeth Kroll – Germantown HS, WI (4)

Just like the 69kg class, we have seeded the Texas lifter over the Louisiana lifters, but with equipment changes, these will be closer than expected.  3rd-6th, could be separated by only 10kg, so it could come down to who makes the most attempts.  

– 84kg Class –

  1. Mackenzie Wells – Germantown HS, WI (1)
  2. Bailey Fields – Covington HS, LA (2)
  3. Taylor Durham – Northlake Christian HS, LA (3)
  4. Hannah Johnson – Northshore HS, LA (6)
  5. Gabriella Esquivel – Lutcher HS, LA (4)

Mackenzie has clearly earned the top seed. 

– 84+kg Class –

  1. Daige Love – Lutcher HS, LA (1)
  2. Mikayla Forsythe – Lutcher HS, LA (2)
  3. Zahyra Hayes – Lutcher HS, LA (3)
  4. Caelyn Hirstius – Slidell HS, LA (4)
  5. Jenna Austin – Adams-Friendship HS, WI (5)

We could likely see a sweep by Lutcher lifters led by Daige.  This will be a must watch and entertaining class.  

Male Classic

– 93kg Class –

  1. John Rudolph – Inspiration Academy, FL (DNF)
  2. Grayson Williams – Center Grove HS, IN (1)
  3. Marcus Davis – Prior Lake HS, MN (4)
  4. Gage Simmons – Sullivan HS, IL (2)
  5. John Welch – Somersworth HS, NH (6)

John appears to be a solid top seed, but the more I look at this class, there are a lot of unknowns.  I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a few surprises.  David (3rd) was quite a surprise!

– 105kg Class –

  1. Ashton Fischer – Lincoln HS, WI (1)
  2. Brayden Coy – North Decatur HS, IN (2)
  3. Steven Aderhold – Blooming Grove HS, TX (3)
  4. Collin Harris – Ottowa HS, KS (DNF)
  5. Chase McInerney – Inspiration Acedemy, FL (DNF)

With little hesitation, I believe Ashton shoud be a lock.  3rd-5th is a toss-up.  

– 120kg Class –

  1. Ryan Marra – Parkland HS, PA (1)
  2. Jackson Jones – Waukesha West HS, WI (2)
  3. Brian Liebknecht – Kennard-Dale HS, PA (3)

This is just a gut feeling, I have no data supporting Ryan over Jackson, but it will most likely come down to the last deadlift.   Ryan pulls for the win on the last deadlift!

– 120+kg Class –

  1. Noah Holecz – Parkland HS, PA (1)
  2. Evan Allen – Susquehannock HS, PA (2)

If you refer back to Prediction #1 at the top of the article, I have little data on Pennsylvania lifters, this class is a prime example.  

Male Equipped

– 93kg Class –

  1. Levi Cowart – Covington HS, LA (2)
  2. Dayvon Williams – Hershey HS, PA (1)
  3. Benjamin Harrison – Northlake Christian HS, LA (3)
  4. Gavin Shockley – Slidell HS, LA (4)
  5. Jacob Kalashian – William Horlick HS, LA (6)

Dayvon is the unknown here, but Levi should be considered the favorite.  Dayvon with the huge pull for the win!

– 105kg Class –

  1. Ariyo Sanyaolu – Germantown HS, WI (1)
  2. Corey James Charleston – Archbishop HS, WI (2)
  3. Cameron Cooper – Slidell HS, LA (3)
  4. Cory Schaffer – Hershey HS, PA (5)
  5. Sean Elliott – Hershey HS, PA (4)

Ariyo has the top seed on paper, but there is too much depth (and unknowns) to call this one.  

– 120kg Class –

  1. Xavier Smith – Dutchtown HS, LA (1)
  2. Cael McDaniel – Bowling Green HS, LA (2)
  3. Cole Piot – Archbishop Hannan HS, LA (3)
  4. Christian Ferge – Adams-Friendship HS, LA (5)
  5. Kolton Lafluer – Sacred Heart HS, LA (4)

Cael should have a commanding lead at sub-total, but Xavier will have the win loaded for deadlift, will he pull it?  This could be the matchup that everyone remembers from the weekend.  Xavier definitely pulled it!  Can you think of another matchup all weekend that you will remember more?

– 120+kg Class –

  1. Dwayne Coleman – Salmen HS, LA (1)
  2. Dylan Angelo – Northlake Christian HS, LA (2)
  3. Nicholas Magendie – Lutcher HS, LA (4)
  4. Caeden Stearns – Jewel Sumner HS, LA (3)
  5. Aidan Gray – Germantown HS, WI (5)

This should be an uneventful event.  Nothing to see here.  I’m sure there will be plenty of open seats on the front row while this class is squatting.  🙂  The last session (& Dwayne) did not disappoint.  The energy in the room was electric!  

 

Team Predictions

Female Classic

  1. Abington Heights HS, PA (1)
  2. Susquehannock HS, PA (4)
  3. Oak Creek HS, WI (2)
  4. Pius XI HS, WI (5)
  5. Pittston Area HS, WI (3)

If Abington Heights takes care of business on the platform, this should be a lock.

Female Equipped

  1. Lutcher HS, LA (1)
  2. Covington HS, LA (2)
  3. Germantown HS, WI (3)
  4. Slidell HS, LA
  5. Northlake HS, LA

This is the closest team competition.  Lutcher has a slight edge, but there is definitely some room for this to go either way.  Lutcher will probably have the tie-breaker.  

Male Classic

  1. Parkland HS, PA (1)
  2. Abington Heights HS, PA (2)
  3. Inspiration Academy, FL
  4. Susquehannock HS, PA (3)
  5. Dover Area HS, PA

Male Equipped

  1. Covington HS, LA (1)
  2. Dutchtown HS, LA (3)
  3. Germantown HS, LA (2)
  4. Northlake Christian HS, LA (5)
  5. Perryton HS, TX

Covington is not a lock, but should be considered favorites.

Best of luck to everyone this weekend!

If you are not able to make it to downtown for beignets at Cafe du Monde, there is a little cafe in downtown Kenner (1.5 miles away) called Debbie on the Levee.  A great alternative; I promise they are the real deal.  You can get them through delivery service (e.g. UberEats).  I am looking for a good pizza location in the area for Saturday lunch, so if you have any recommendations, please send them my way.

Feel free to email us and complain about the seedings and predictions at PowerliftingHigh@gmail.com

Best of luck to everyone this weekend!  Safe travels.  -Trey