The 2013 USAPL Collegiate National Championships is less than two weeks away and the excitement is building. With classes that can be 40+ competitors deep, large crowds, and ear-piercing cheering, Collegiate Nationals is the most electric powerlifting meet that you are likely to encounter. Teams from around the nation train all year for this weekend, and 2013 looks to be another great event. Let’s take a look at the contenders!
Women’s Favorite—The University of Louisiana
The current defending champions, UL’s Ragin Cajuns, bring another stacked roster this year. Defending champion and world team member, Dana Wallace, looks like the heavy favorite to repeat at 94-pounds. UL also returns National champion, Alex Jackson (158) and her monstrous squat, and a host of other potential All-Americans. Though it certainly isn’t a lock, the Ragin Cajuns appear to be the favorite for another national championship in 2013.
Women’s Contender—Louisiana State University
LSU has been a powerhouse in the women’s division over the past decade, but slipped to 4th place in 2012. With a chip on their shoulder and a stronger roster in 2013, the Tigers could very well be back at the top of their game. Led by the dominant champion Ariel Parker at 185, LSU also has the potential to take gold at 103 with Allegra Hudson.
Women’s Contender—Texas A&M
Coach Cort Spellman continues to put together strong female rosters each year and 2013 is no exception. With defending National Champion, Olivia Harrington, leading the way and Jennifer Moran seeded first at SHW, it would be unwise to rule the Aggies out as a contender for the title!
Women’s Contender—Northeastern University
In just five short years, Boston has exploded onto the collegiate powerlifting scene. With a huge roster and an all-star coaching staff, we are within a few years of the North claiming their first national championship in many years. Led by defending National Champion, Shaina Petit, and top-seeded Emily Leibert at 114, Northeastern has a very good chance of leaving Texas with the coveted team title in 2013.
Other Notable Female Lifters
- Erin Stevenson (Boise State) is seeded first at 125 with a 915 pound total.
- Quest Nutrition’s Beverly Crawford (Auburn University) looks like the heavy favorite in the 138-class.
- Mariah Hamm (University of Wisconsin) has a great shot at the gold medal at 185.
Men’s Favorite—The University of Texas
Wow, wow, wow! The University of Texas is loaded with talent in 2013! With powerlifting legends Ian Bell (205) and Preston Turner (264) leading the way, the Longhorns have other potential gold medalists at 116 (Mario Leos) and 130 (Austin DeShane). The only team that is capable of defeating Texas in 2013 is….Texas! Those of us that have been involved with collegiate powerlifting for a number of years have seen other dominant teams let championships slip through their fingers, so let’s not hand over that team title until the dust has settled.
Men’s Contender—Louisiana State University
Defending champions, LSU, return another All-star roster. If Malcolm Richard (231) and William Everhardt (182) both manage to secure a gold medal, we could be looking at another team title for the Tigers. They have the supporting cast of potential All-Americans to secure the remainder of the points, but the question is whether or not they will secure at least two individual gold medals, which have historically been necessary in winning a team title.
Men’s Contender—Louisiana Tech
After 30 years of domination, the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech, had started to drift off of the radar following the retirement of legendary Coach Dr. Billy Jack Talton. Then, just as many teams had begun to write them off, we’ve seen resurgence in recent years. Led by the amazing Jordan Dunn at 163, Louisiana Tech also has a great chance of gold at 130 pounds (Garth Sullivan). With a growing roster and talent in several other classes, Louisiana Tech is back with a vengeance!
Men’s Contender—The University of Louisiana
After dominating the Men’s division in 2009 and 2011, the Ragin Cajun men slipped to 4th place as they went through a rebuilding year in 2012. Led by multi-national champion and 800+ squatter Kyle Ramsey (231 class), UL also has a shot at gold in the 182 class (Josh Thibeaux and Pat Labat). Although a long shot for the men’s team title, UL is known for making their attempts on meet day. If the other schools make mistakes, UL will be right there in the mix for another men’s title.
Other Notable Male Lifters
- Quest Nutrition’s James Vang (The University of Georgia) is the heavy favorite at 145.
- World team member, John Rivas, of Virginia Military Institute has a 1962 total at 231.
- Chris Vickery could very well ride a big subtotal to a gold medal at 231 for Sam Houston State.
- Returning champion, Arron Gonzales, has a 903 squat and will likely win gold for Sam Houston State at SHW.
COACH WERNER POWERLIFTING 
Where can we find the full lifting rosters for the meet?