09
April
2015
|
07:52 AM
America/Chicago

UHD Powerlifting Heads to 2015 USAPL National Collegiate Championships

Eleven members of UHD Powerlifting will be competing against lifters representing nearly 60 schools beginning Friday at the 2015 USAPL National Collegiate Powerlifting Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. The competition - which will take place over the course of three days - will be broadcast live on the internet, beginning with the Thursday evening coaches' press conference from 5 to 6 p.m. central time. Lifting will begin at 8 a.m. each day, Friday through Sunday. Gator fans can watch the action by connecting to the Bodybuilding.com live stream.

This will be UHD's second team experience at the prestigious USAPL National Collegiates, but the Gators will be down a bit in numbers due to the full-time enrollment requirement of the meet, which impacts two UHD lifters who are enrolled part-time this semester. In addition, another two lifters will be sitting out due to injuries.

The women's squad will compete against 31 other schools, with senior team captain Briana Villarreal at 158 lbs. and freshman Priscilla Perez at heavyweight - each ranked third nationally in their respective weight classes - leading the fight.

The men's squad, competing against 40 other schools, will be led by sophomore Isaias Gonzalez, ranked second at 130 lbs., and fellow sophomore Kenny Nguyen, American record-holder in the bench press at 145 lbs. Other highly ranked Gator men include junior Jaime Villa, ranked sixth at heavyweight, and junior Tanner Surratt, ranked 13th at 163 lbs.

The Gators are determined to improve on their 2014 eighth place finish, and they face a tough challenge, with nearly 400 lifters and 60 schools joining the battle for the gold in Atlanta.

Tune in online and cheer your Gator Powerlifters on to victory!