2024 USAPL High School Powerlifting Nationals Preview & Predictions

Apr 3, 2024

2024 USAPL High School Powerlifting Nationals Preview and Predictions

2024 USAPL HS Nationals Preview/Predictions

April 4-7, Baton Rouge, LA

You are in for a treat this weekend in Baton Rouge!  Hosted by Travis Werner and an extremely experienced and talented support staff, this year’s USAPL High School National Powerlifting Championships will be memorable.  I think it has already been said, but this will be the largest high school national championship ever.  859 lifters!  Southern hospitality will be on full display.

Making this all happen is the Cajun Prep Powerlifting Team.  Started in 2021 by Travis Werner, the concept of a no-cost elite coaching facility and team has been groundbreaking for the growth and development of high school powerlifting in South Louisiana.  In just a few year’s time (but decades in the making), it has become a major hub of everything related to powerlifting.  We believe this model (and variations of it) will be the future of youth and junior powerlifting development in the U.S.  

The competition will be held at the Crowne Plaza on Constitution Avenue.  You can tell how long someone has been involved in the sport of powerlifting by how many times they have been to a meet in this particular venue.  The hotel has had different names over the years, and the carpet has been changed many times, but this venue has hosted some of the most iconic powerlifting meets for many decades.  This weekend will be no exception!

Friendly reminder that Wednesday (3rd) at Midnight is the deadline for purchasing photo and video packages with PSB Productions.  You are going to be too busy cheering, counting white lights, and having a good time.  Let Marshall and his amazing crew take care of capturing the moments over the weekend.  

 

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 Baton Rouge.  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. 

 

Day 1 (Junior Varsity Division)

Here are the athletes that we will be paying the closest attention to on Day 1 (Junior Varsity).  

Female Equipped

  • Mollie Bailey – Holdon HS, LA (366 Dots)
  • Rylee Gabriel – Adams-Friendship HS, WI (319 Dots)
  • Parker Maizels – York Catholic HS, MI (274 Dots)

Female Classic

  • Kaylani Lyons – Basha HS, Sacaton, AZ
  • Jaden Corpuz – Fayetteville Christian, Spring Lake, NC (332.4 Dots)
  • Arden Hyatt – Palmyra-Eagle HS, Palmyra, WI (332.8 Dots)
  • Klairissa Edenburn (9th Grade) – Millington HS, MI (DNF)
  • Jenna Bjorge – Waterford Union HS, Waterford, WI (333 Dots)
  • Tiferet Milgram (Varsity) – SAR HS, Teaneck, NJ (See Day 3 – 75Kg Classic) Totaled 402.5
  • Dejenae Miller – Brooke HS, Boston, MA (321 Dots)

Male Equipped

  • Kolton McMilleon (9th Grade) – River Oaks HS, Monroe, LA (310 Dots)
  • Kenton Mercer – River Oaks HS, Monroe, LA 
  • Corbin Braun – Delcambre HS, LA (257 Dots)

Male Classic

  • Denzil Smith – Perryville HS, AR (406 Dots)
  • Finnegan Harper – Thales Academy, Apex, NC (403 Dots)
  • Sterling Hershey – ASCTE, Huntsville, AL
  • Samuel Blackwell – SC (386 Dots)
  • Syius Rivera – Martha’s Vinyard HS, Oak Bluffs, MA (385 Dots)
  • Andre Duval – Scarsdale HS, NY (407 Dots)
  • Ryan Pejakovich – Climax-Scotts HS, Climax, MI (387 Dots)

Fun to watch… Smith vs Hershey in 67.5kg class;  The 75kg class is very deep and up for grabs; Semling vs Stapleton in the 110kg class.

Day 2 Seedings 

Female Equipped

– 48kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Emma Lazarus – Calvary Baptist, Shreveport, LA (1st)
  2. J Lynn Fernandez – Robstown Early College, TX (2nd)

We believe Emma will set the early tone for the team championship, but both of these lifters are capable of winning. 

 

– 52kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Haylee Schultz – Sulphur Springs HS, TX (DNC)
  2. Lola Williams – Lehman HS, Kyle, TX (56kg)
  3. Brianna Ankerson – Neenah HS, WI (1st)
  4. Endly Chism – Calvary Baptist, Shreveport, LA (2nd)
  5. Kharisma Johnson – City View HS, Wichita Falls, TX (3rd)

Haylee’s past performances have earned her the top seed and should have the lead going into deadlift.  We do not know the curcimstances of why Haylee did not compete.  Lola did not lift in the class she entered.

 

Female Classic

– 44kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Rylee Ehlke – Neenah HS, WI (2nd  8for9)
  2. Alley Voiers – Seaman HS, Topeka, KS (DNF)
  3. Kai Nakaoka – JFK HS, Sacramento, CA (3rd  3for9)
  4. Jasmine Brazeau – Pinconning HS, MI (1st  9for9)
  5. Cali Widiker – Amery HS, WI (4th  7for9)

Making attempts will have a big impact on the outcome of this class.  I wouldn’t be surprised if several lifters have the win loaded for their last deadlift (including Brazeau).  A must watch!

 

– 48kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Alyssa Dickens – Robert E. Lee HS, Baytown, TX (1st)
  2. Kaelin Halstead – New Richmond HS, WI (2nd)
  3. Noreen Martin – Osceola HS, WI (4th)
  4. Alondra Arreaga – Lexington HS, NE (3rd)
  5. Lanie Mallmann – Hortonville HS, WI (5th)

Deep class, Alyssa has the edge, but it will most likely be decided during third attempt deadlifts. 

 

– 52kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Elaina Stimmell – Spotsylvania, VA (2nd)
  2. Annie Dean – New Richmond HS, WI (3rd)
  3. Ava Tiahrt – Baltic HS, SD (1st)
  4. Marley McQuade – Southside HS, Youngsville, LA (10th)
  5. Adele Schilling – New Richmond HS, WI 

It could be gridlocked at the subtotal.  Elaina seems to have a slight advantage with possibly the best deadlift in this class.  That was wild to watch at the end!  Elaina did have the best deadlift of the class, but missed too many attempts;  Ava was able to sneak in for the win. 

 

Male Equipped

– 52kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Hunter Wright – Ouachita Parish HS, Monroe, LA (1st)
  2. Cade Lazarus – Calvary Baptist HS, Shreveport, LA  (2nd)

Hunter should be a lock for this class and Cade is bringing home series team points.

– 56kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Sammy Tramonte – St. Michael’s HS, Baton Rouge, LA (1st)
  2. Monte Kerr – Iowa Park HS, TX (4th)
  3. Evan Cardoza – Neenah HS, WI (2nd)
  4. Landyn Romero – Delcambre HS, LA (3rd) 

Sammy and Monte moved up from the 114s to try and snag this title.  Extra body weight, maybe new suits; It will be interesting.  

– 60kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Kato Mattair – Rosebud-Lott HS, TX (2nd)
  2. Dalton Creech – Calvary Baptist HS, Shreveport, LA (DNF)
  3. Taylor Purvis – Holden HS, LA (1st)

Taylor outlifted Dalton recently at the LA High School state championships by 25lbs.  Dalton with the upset and big team points for Calvary Baptist? Or does Kato pull the upset of the day?  This class will swing major team points!

– 67.5kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Nathan Lovemore – Natchitoches HS, LA (1st)
  2. Gahel Griner – Christoval HS, TX (2nd)
  3. Nic Jones – River Oaks HS, Monroe, LA (3rd)
  4. Moises Cortez – Assumption HS, LA (4th)
  5. Glenterrius Brown – Carrol HS, Monroe, LA (5th)

Mr. Superlative has this locked down.  When the chalk settles at the end of the weekend, will he be crowned the male outstanding lifter (raw or equipped) of the meet?  The rest of this class is hard to predict.  We think Gahel should make the costume adjustments for 2nd (8for9); Nic could be the spoiler.

– 75kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Danerian Actlis – Elton HS, LA (1st)
  2. Mitchell Haugsness – Grandview HS, Aurora, CO (DNF)
  3. Noah Colvin – Calvary Baptist, Shreveport, LA (2nd)
  4. Cole Binkley – De Queen HS, AR (3rd)
  5. Rustin Morales – Many HS, LA (4th)

Danerian is as close to a lock as it gets.  Mitchell and Noah may be a closer battle than expected. 

 

Male Classic

– 52kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Indiana Gray – Carthage HS, MO (1st)
  2. Anthony Taraccena – Lexington HS, NE (2nd)
  3. Gavin Boucher – Marinette HS, WI (4th)
  4. Aidan Mak – Boston Latin, MA (5th)
  5. Zachary Mathews – Evanston Township HS, IL (DNF)

Indiana should successfully defend his title from the 2023 HS National Championships in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Anthony and Gavin could be tight, but I see more of the battle for 3rd from Aidan, Zachary, and Ethan (3rd).  

– 56kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Liam Rennert – Neenah HS, WI (DNF)
  2. Jerry Green – Sussex Academy, Georgetown, DE (1st)
  3. Alex Duel – Winneconne HS, WI (4th)
  4. Christian Tran – Liberty Magnet HS, Baton Rouge, LA (5th)
  5. Mason Books – Elk Mound HS, WI (7th)
  6. Diego Figueroa – Niles West HS, IL (2nd)

Liam definitely has the momentum going into the weekend, but it’s far from a lock;  3rd-9th is a complete toss-up!  

– 60kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Dave Domingo – New Richmond HS, WI (1st)
  2. Anthony LoGiudice – Miller Place HS, NY (6th)
  3. Miles Tolman – Rockville HS, Vernon, CT (3rd)
  4. Sean Murray – Holly HS, MI (2nd)
  5. Brennan Tsai – Whitney Young, Chicago, IL

Dave is probably the favorite here, but not by much.  Everything else is splitting hairs!

– 67.5kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Matthew Lopez – Cinco Ranch HS, Katy, TX (2nd)
  2. Izek Keodouangdy – Tate HS, Cantonment, FL (1st)
  3. Jacob Song – Alameda HS, CA (?)
  4. Eric Chen – Whitney M. Young HS, Chicago, IL (5th)
  5. Alexander Palmisano – Cypress Woods HS, TX (3rd)

The above seedings are close in line with the posted qualifying totals.  The depth of this class has significantly improved over the last year.  The winning total for the 67.5kg class in 2023 was 560.  You will need to total 560+ just to make the top 7 this year.  6th place was 572.5kg. This will be wild to watch!

– 75kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Adrian Kintzele – Cinco Ranch HS, Katy, TX (2nd)
  2. Connor Laughlin – Tate HS, Cantonment, FL (5th)
  3. Ethan Tran – Grandville HS, MI (4th)
  4. Lee Ericksen – New Richmond HS, WI (6th)
  5. Kyle Kim – Snowden International, Boston, MA (3rd)

This will be epic!  It was!  All of these lifters could win the 75kg class (don’t count out the others not listed like Elijah and John).  1st-6th place was only seperated by 20kg.  Making attempts will be critical.  Who will drop the boldest #FreshReceipt (3rd attempt change) and then go out and pull it?  Will the elusive 272.5kg/600lbs get pulled by someone in this class to end Day 2?  Yes, Matthew Acevedo pulled 275/606.  Connor attempted 690 for the win, but was unsucessful.  We had Matthew Aceveda seeded at 8th.  His January meet deadlifts were perplexing at the time of our research.  To this point, he slipped under our radar more than anyone else.  Congrats Matthew!

 

Day 3 Seedings

 

Female Equipped

– 56kg Class – (Complete)

  1. McKinzley Thomason – Pineville HS, LA (Guest Lifter – 432.5kg)
  2. Breanne Jones – Calvary Baptist HS, Shreveport, LA (1st – 355kg)
  3. Jacqueline Salazar – Rosebud-Lott HS, TX (DNC)
  4. Ashley Anderson – Rider HS, Wichita Falls, TX (2nd)

As a Pineville High Alum, I have to go with McKinzley Thomason for this class. 

– 60kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Jaylen Dehoyas – San Angelo Central HS, TX (1st)
  2. Leila Gomez – Lehman HS, Kyle, TX (Guest 66kg)
  3. Calista Kumm – Columbus HS, NE (2nd)
  4. Raeghann Behrens – St. Paul HS, NE (3rd)
  5. Ariel Villa –  Delcambre HS, LA (4th)

Texas and Nebraska equipped lifting rules and gear are completely different, but each athlete will make the proper costume adjustments on Saturday.  I believe the Texas lifters have the edge in this particular situation.  

– 67.5kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Mia Albritton – D’Arbonne Woods, Farmerville, LA (2nd)
  2. Aaliyah Respress – Lehman HS, Kyle, TX (3rd)
  3. Jocelyne Jaimes – Lehyman HS, Kyle, TX (4th)
  4. Tara Wenzel – Mauston HS, WI (1st)
  5. Scarlett McCoy – Iowa Park HS, TX (6th)

Mia has a slight advantage coming into the competition, but this class is going to be hard to frame up until after opening attempts have been submitted.  1st-3rd separated by only 5kgs.  Mia and Aaliyah came up short during 3rd attempts for the win.

– 75kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Sara Vasquez – Calallen HS, Corpus Christi, TX (1st)
  2. Ava Meyer – Neenah HS, WI (2nd)
  3. Aybri Picard – West Monroe, LA (3rd)

Little separating these competitors and all three could win!  All three had a chance of winning.  That was intense.

 

Female Classic

– 56kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Jessica Haggerty – Elkhorn HS, WI (1st)
  2. Mallory Hammond – Spanish Fort HS, AL (2nd)
  3. Khandi Shuford – Abbeville HS, LA (3rd)
  4. Hannah Lagesse – Bloomer HS, LA (6th)
  5. Bailey Cannon – Rosebud-Lott HS, TX (DNC)

Jessica won the 2023 IPF SubJunior World Championships in Romania in August.  She will put on a show.  Very interested to see how the rest of this field shows up.  Mallory is the bigger unknown.  Khandi and Bailey have experience in both equipped and classic competitions.  A show it was!

– 60kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Keira Segura – Delcambre HS, LA (1st)
  2. Katelyn Doehrmann – New Richmond HS, WI (3rd)
  3. Lucca Lewis – McCallum HS, Austin, TX (5th)
  4. Aubrie Vanevenhoven – Neenah HS, WI (DNC)
  5. Kate Lincecum – Boston Latin, MA (2nd)

This is the lightest 132lb class you will ever see (nod to Haggerty).  Average of 1st-3rd BW was 56.8.  Katelyn vs Keira will be entertaining to watch.  The future of this class is already here in the mix; Aubrie (℅ 2027) and Kate (℅ 2026) will be getting invaluable experience.  3rd-8th could be separated by less than 20kgs, so the opportunity for a podium finish is in the grasp of many.  3rd-8th place was separated by 30kgs.  Kate Lincecum will be one to watch for at least the next two years.

– 67.5kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Alexa Frcek – Santa Monica HS, CA (5th)
  2. Stella Tintari – Crown Point HS, IN (2nd)
  3. Samara Lanum – Mission Hills HS, San Marcos, CA (4th)
  4. Abi Kuykendall – Dripping Springs HS, TX (3rd)
  5. Shelby Stricklin –  Kelly Walsh HS, Casper, WY (8th)

Alexa is the favorite, but like so many classes anything can happen.  Anything did happen!  3rd attempt deadlifts will be very exciting.  Keep an eye out for Hailee Crosland in Flight A.  Random… Have you ever seen Shelby Stricklin’s historical performance chart?  It is impressive; scroll down past all the records.  Kadence Linhart was was locked in with a 9for9 day.  We had her seeded 10th.  I wasn’t the only person to be surprised; that was serious stealth mode.  🙂  Congrats Kadence (Homeschool, Iowa)!

– 75kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Zsofia Toth – Point Pleasant Borough HS, NJ (5th)
  2. *Tiferet Milgram – SAR HS, Teaneck, NJ (Totaled 402.5 @ 67.8 Thursday – Wow!)
  3. Dayna Bland – Wakefield HS, Raleigh, NC (3rd)
  4. Claire Dunneback – Athens HS, Troy, MI (13th)
  5. Clare Harris – Maur-Hill Mount Academy, Atchison, KS (2nd)
  6. Elizabeth Detjen – Georgetown HS, TX (6th)

Very little data on this group, as most of these lifters have not competed in 2024.  Zsofia should be considered the favorite, though.  *Tiferet Milgram lifts on Thursday with the JV lifters, so her total will be known in advance.  This doesn’t happen very often, but several coaches will be pacing attempts to replicate that total.  3rd-7th place is a complete toss-up; it’s going to depend on who put in the most work over the past six months.  Tiferet wins from her Thursday total.  No one was able to pace.  Zsofia pulled for 2nd on her last deadlift.  2nd-7th was seperated by only 17.5kgs.  

 

Male Equipped

– 82.5kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Parker Anderson – Sandwich HS, IL (1st)
  2. Matthew Moreira – HS of Applied Communication, Jackson, WY (Guest 90kg)
  3. Cooper Kidwell – Iowa Park HS, TX (DNF)
  4. Toby Gorham – Pineville HS, LA (2nd)
  5. Kadyn Bourgeois – Delcambre HS, LA (3rd)

Parker and Matthew have great classic totals. 

– 90kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Hunter Goodman – Many HS, LA (1st)
  2. Waylon Breithaupt – Jena HS, LA (3rd)
  3. Logan Gaudreau – William Smith HS, Aurora, CO (2nd)

All three of these lifters are capable of winning, but Hunter earned the top seed based on his performance several weeks ago.  

Male Classic

– 82.5kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Dylan Albert – Thibodaux HS, LA (1st)
  2. Mahlon Grove – Dripping Springs HS, TX (DNC)
  3. Tory Fasciano – St. Joh’s Prep, Danvers, MA (2nd)
  4. Chislon Njang – Colonel Zadok Magruder HS, Rockville, MD (3rd)
  5. Sammy Strauch – Chatfield Senior High, Littleton, CO (4th)

Dylan is familiar with going head-to-head against really good equipped lifters.  However, his work has been cut out for him this weekend against fellow classic lifters.  He will need to build a solid subtotal to hold off 3rd attempt deadlifts from Mahlon and Chislon (in that order?). 

– 90kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Braden Hall – Trenton HS, TX (1st)
  2. Terrence McCrae – Harrison HS, Kennesaw, GA (DNF)
  3. Carter Cloe – Roosevelt HS, Des Moines, IA (4th)
  4. Gavin Johnson – Summerville HS, SC (7th)
  5. Luke Witted – Orange HS, Hillsborough, NC (6th)

We are giving the senior the top seed despite what the data says.  1st-4th could go in any order.  Luke Witted pulls a big deadlift to finish in 5th in front of a stacked field.  Luke attempted a pull for 2nd.  We had Nathan (finished 2nd) seeded at 8th and Adrian Rapier (finished 3rd) seeded at 11th.  Competitive and entertaining class!

 

Day 4 Seedings

 

Female Equipped

– 82.5kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Adalyn LaCaze – Calvary Baptist, Shreveport, LA (Guest)

Let’s go Adalyn.  Big team points for Calvary Baptist.  No 82.5kg competitors.

– 90kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Allysun Tays – Rosebud-Lott HS, TX (1st)
  2. Savannah Marvin – Mauston HS, WI (2nd)

Let’s go Allysun.  Big team points for Rosebud-Lott.

– 100kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Crystal Martinez – Lehman HS, Kyle, TX (1st)
  2. Mireya Roberson – Calvary Baptist, Shreveport, LA (2nd)
  3. Jaymi Patterson – Rosebud-Lott HS, TX (3rd)
  4. Kaitlyn Duplantis – Delcambre HS, LA (4th)

The 2021 National Champion is back and she will put on a show.  She is a close to a lock as we have on Sunday.  

– 100+kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Cambria Holmes – Southwood HS, Shreveport, LA (1st)
  2. Anaiah Johnson – Castor HS, LA (2nd)
  3. Leah Sanchez – Rider HS, Wichita Falls, TX (3rd)
  4. Stormy Watson – Castor HS, LA (4th)

I don’t have much data on Cambria, but she should be the top seed based off her 2023 performance.  We are expecting Leah and Anaiah to be close.  

 

Female Classic

– 82.5kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Reya Johnson – Athens HS, Troy, MI (1st – 3 x Champion)
  2. Leah Warner – TC Roberson HS, Asheville, NC (2nd)
  3. Carson Harwood – Neenah HS, WI (4th)
  4. Mikayla Koenig – Appleton East HS, WI (3rd)
  5. Ashley Martinez – Cudahy HS, WI (6th)

Winning three HS national titles is a rare feat (I wish I had the list to link here), but it will not be a easy road for the senior Reya Johnson.  Leah, Carson, and others will push her this year and make her earn it.  It’s hard to beat a champ!

– 90kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Brylee Batiste – Abbeville HS, LA (1st on BW)
  2. Natasha Cruz – Rider HS, Wichita Falls, TX (3rd)
  3. Grace Chatelain – Oak Forest Academy, Amite City, LA (2nd)
  4. Myah Wenzel – Neenah HS, WI (5th)
  5. Danielle Doctor (4th)

Rematch from 2023!  Last year, Grace attempted a 3rd attempt deadlift for the win over Natasha, but was unsucessful.  This is a much anticipated rematch on both sides and will be a great for everyone watching.  It will come down to the last deadlift again.  Nothing is a given, but Byrlee has her own plans to stay slightly out of the reach of others with her own outstanding deadlift.  Seems like a lot of team points that Neenah is collecting!  Wow, that fun to watch.

– 100kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Samantha Davis – Global Impact Stem Academy, Springfield, OH (1st – 3 x Champion)
  2. Charlee Schroeder – Amery HS, WI (2nd)
  3. Aleyna Heffernon – Winneconne HS, WI (4th)
  4. Tayler Guidry – Gueydan HS, LA (5th)
  5. Teagan Becker – Kelly Walsh HS, Casper, WY (6th)

2 x Defending National Champion at 100+kg, Samantha Davis, is staying down in her natural class.  Once again, a “3-Peat” could/should happen on Sunday.  Gracie Kluemper sneaks in at 3rd.

– 100+kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Evelyn Edenburn – Goodrich HS, MI (1st)
  2. Alissa Barthuly – Laconia HS, Rosendale, WI (2nd)
  3. Daytona Hensley – Whitehall HS, WI (3rd)
  4. Kamryn Hall – Vernon HS, TX (5th)
  5. Saleh Sedlacek – Roseville HS, MN (6th)

Evelyn is the clear favorite in this class and should have the deadlift at the end to claim the national title.  After getting her second attempt squat, she cruised. 

 

Male Equipped

– 100kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Daniel Rodriguez – Rosebud-Lott HS, TX (2nd)
  2. Benjamin Ragas – Vandebilt Catholic HS, Houma, LA (1st)
  3. Rick Boze – Athens Tech, Monroe, GA (3rd)

This is going to be close!  Benjamin will have the last pull.  Will it be for the win?  Daniel (& Rick) actually had the last pull, but Benjamin had already pushed them beyond today’s capabilities. 

– 110kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Kaleb Bordelon – Ouachita Parish HS, Monroe, LA (1st)
  2. Weston Bonneau – Gregory-Portland HS, TX (2nd)
  3. Corbyn Oden – Iowa Park, HS, TX (3rd)
  4. Garrett Cook – Rosebud-Lott HS, TX (4th)

Texas is coming for Kaleb, but he will have the winning deadlift in his hands at the end!  

– 125kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Brendon Tays – Rosebud-Lott HS, TX (1st)

That is significant team points!

– 140+kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Anthony John Quillman – West Monroe HS, TX (1st)

 

Male Classic

– 100kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Elias Mank – Eagle River HS, AK (1st)
  2. Maximus Dhabalt – Mason City HS, IA (2nd)
  3. Owen Haseleu – Waterloo HS, WI (3rd)
  4. Mason Klinger – Oshkosh West HS, WI (DNC)
  5. Eli Beckel – Pueblo West HS, CO (7th)

The 100kg class will go to a senior!  Haha, this one is hard to pick.  

 

– 110kg Class – (Co

  1. Blake Wendt – Carmel Catholic HS, Mundenlein, IL (1st)
  2. Brayden Naus – Forsyth Central HS, Cumming, GA* (2nd)
  3. Samuel Ruppe – Elk Mound HS, WI (9th)
  4. Adrian Kamo – Passaic County Tech, Wayne, NJ (6th)
  5. Hunter Christenson – Grand Island Sr High, NE (4th)
  6. Justin Clark – Anthony Wayne HS, Whitehouse, OH (3rd)

After finishing 3rd at last year’s USAPL HS Nationals, Blake looks to be the favorite this year.  3rd-6th is really too close to call.  

– 125kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Brandon Taylor – Vancleave HS, MS (1st)
  2. Jacob Mancu – Hamilton Southeastern HS, Fishers, IN (2nd)
  3. Andres Carrillo – Elk Mound HS, WI (5th)
  4. Edward Medaris – Canterbury School, Milford, CT (4th)
  5. Sergio Ortiz – Crete HS, NE (10th)

Is this the year for Brandon?  He finished as runner-up in 2022 and 2023.  He did it!  Congrats Brandon!

– 140kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Gabe McNeill – Charlotte Catholic, NC (1st)
  2. Malachi Housh – Carthage HS, MO (DNC)
  3. Elias Diaz – Lincoln HS, Wisconsin Rapids, WI (2nd)
  4. Reggie Kloehn – Hortonville HS, WI (Guest)
  5. Wyatt Stellrecht – New Richmond HS, WI (3rd)

Gabe has earned the top seed.  Don’t underestimate Malachi; he has been silent for a year, so it’s hard to gauge his progression.  Malachi let us know that he was injured.  The gentlemen from Wisconsin get to battle it out again.  

– 140+kg Class – (Complete)

  1. Tyren Holmes – Liberal Sr High, KS (1st)
  2. Jelani Payne – Wisconsin Rapids HS, WI (3rd)
  3. Miguel Castellanos – Lexington HS, NE (2nd)
  4. Hunter Vennevy – Kingston HS, Caro, MI (4th)
  5. Robert Mash – Burkburnett HS, TX (5th)

Tyren and Jelani will battle this one out, but we have Tyren as the top seed based on his deadlift potential.  

 

Team Predictions

 

Female Equipped

  1. Calvary Baptist Academy, Shreveport, LA
  2. Lehman HS, Kyle, TX
  3. Rosebud-Lott HS, TX
  4. Mauston HS, WI
  5. Rider HS, Wichita Falls, TX

Calvary has a slight advantage according to our seedings, but this could go either way.  Lehman will need to take advantage of their close battles.

 

Female Classic

  1. Neenah HS, WI
  2. New Richmond HS, WI
  3. Amery HS, WI
  4. Athens HS, Troy, WI
  5. Boston Latin, MA

Oh My!  Of course both teams have to execute, but my calculations have Neenah and New Richmond with exactly the same points.  However, Neenah has more lifters on Sunday and will know exactly what places they need to achieve to make it happen.  That even includes the strategy of a tie and winning on the tie-breaker.  Neenah will literally have the “last deadlift” (I’ve seen them do it before).  After a solid week of researching 859 lifters, to me this is the most interested battle of the weekend.  

 

Male Equipped

  1. Rosebud-Lott HS, TX
  2. Calvary Baptist Academy, Shreveport, LA
  3. Ouachita Parish HS, Monroe, LA
  4. Many HS, LA
  5. Natchitoches Central HS, LA

Team championships are usually won at the bookends (light and heavy weight classes). Rosebud-Lott will need to execute on Sunday.  Calvary will need to score its points early during the weekend.

 

Male Classic

  1. Elk Mound HS, WI
  2. Cinco Rank HS, Katy, TX
  3. New Richmond HS, WI
  4. Neenah HS, WI
  5. Carthage HS, MO
  6. Lexington HS, NE
  7. Tate HS, FL

Wait!  Before anyone gets excited or upset, this is extremely hard to seed.  The team title will most likely come down to the last deadlifts on Sunday.  

 

Lagniappe (Google it)

 

It’s never too early to start mapping out your post-meet meal!  You have a lot of phenomenal choices in Baton Rouge.  The Mexican restaurant (Tio Javi’s) next to the Crowne Plaza is great and fun, but I’d recommend exploring other local Louisiana options if you have the time and transportation.  

Drago’s Seafood (within walking distance) originated in New Orleans and is known for its charbroiled oysters and would be my “top seed”.  There are several other restaurants that you will hear about in the area:  Chimes (next to LSU campus), Sullivan’s Steakhouse (across the interstate), Phil’s Oyster Bar, and Red Zepplin Pizza.  Juban’s ($$$) is less than 2 miles away.  The market price of crawfish is higher than normal for this time of the year, but that shouldn’t dissuade you from ordering a pound (or 5) for the table.  

Feel free to email us and complain about the seedings and predictions, but we would rather you email us and let us know about how your post-meet dining experience went. PowerliftingHigh@gmail.com  I haven’t received any emails about our food recommendations  🙁

Last but not least, the USAPL Student World Cup will be held in Green Bay, WI, at the end of June.  This is an inaugural event that is held steps away from historic Lambeau Field.  More information about qualifying and registration here. 

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

*Edit #1 – Moved Brayden Naus from 100kg to 110kg class. 4/3/24 2:00PM CST

*Edit #2 – Updates in RED from Day 1.  4/5/24 9:45AM CST

*Edit #3 – Updates in RED from Day 2.  4/6/24 6:45PM CST

*Edit #4 – Updates in RED from Day 3.  4/7/24 8:45AM CST

*Edit #5 – Updates in RED from Day 4.  4/7/24 11:45AM CST

*Edit #6 – Updates in RED from Day 4.  4/7/24 5:15PM CST