Warriors Capture Pair of National Championships

OKLAHOMA CITY – Midland University turned in a dominant performance over the weekend, capturing both the raw and equipped national championships at the 2025 USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals. The event was held April 3-6 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

In the equipped division, Ray Bowring led the charge with a massive total of 1,175.5 kilograms in the super heavyweight (140+ kg) class. He posted lifts of 475.5 kg in the squat, 325 kg in the bench press, and 375 kg in the deadlift to secure an individual title. Along the way, Bowring set a junior world record in the squat, an overall world record for total, and was named the top overall lifter in the equipped division. He set the collegiate American record in the bench and deadlift as well.

Kaleb Linares claimed an individual title in the 140 kg class with a 900 kg total, while Danerian Actlis earned an individual title in the 82.5 kg class after recording a 277.5 kg squat, 195 kg bench, and 315 kg deadlift for a 787.5 kg total. Actlis was picked as the second-best lifter of the meet. Braden Watson added another individual title in the 52 kg class, totaling 465 kg.

The Warriors picked up several runner-up finishes in the equipped division as well. Rogelio Barrera placed second in the 75 kg class with a 740 kg total, while Brady Price was second in the 67.5 kg class with a 652.5 kg total. Weston Hill finished third in the same class with a 647.5 kg total. Brandon Ward added a third-place finish in the 140+ kg class with a 902.5 kg total. Other notable finishes included Adrian Avalos, who was fourth in the 60 kg class (565 kg), Kaleth Polanco Pinto, who was fourth in the 110 kg class (832.5 kg), and Grant VanArsdel, who finished fourth in the 125 kg class with an 820 kg total.

In the raw division, Sean Koch secured an individual title in the 140+ kg class with a 982.5 kg total, powered by lifts of 390 kg in the squat, 237.5 kg in the bench, and 355 kg in the deadlift. He set collegiate American records in the deadlift (355 kg) and total. Felipe Garza set a pair of collegiate American records on his way to an individual title in the 52 kg class with a 491.5 kg total. His records were in the squat (167.5 kg), bench (119 kg), deadlift (205 kg), and total. Chase Chapa took the individual title in the 60 kg class after totaling 575 kg. Sebastean Garza finished as the runner-up in the same weight class with a 552.5 kg total.

Landen Longoria placed fourth in the 67.5 kg class with a 582.5 kg total. Peyton Mitties finished 16th in the 100 kg class with 732.5 kg, while Nicholas Kuehl was sixth in the 140+ kg class, also totaling 732.5 kg. Trayton Roa placed 30th in the competitive 82.5 kg class with a 657.5 kg total.

Midland has now won 13 team titles since the program started in 2016-17. The Warriors have won the raw division in six of the last seven years and each of the last six equipped titles.