SAN ANGELO, Texas — Four members of Angelo State University's ram powerlifting club finished in the top five in their respective contests, including one gold medalist and one national runner-up, at the U.S.A. Powerlifting Collegiate National Meet in Lombard, Illinois.
Michael Vargus of Ozona won a gold medal in the 181-pound weight class of the men's collegiate equipped category to bring home a national title for ASU.
Other top ASU finishers at the national meet, by category and weight class, were:
- Melissa Nunez of Monahans: second place, women's collegiate equipped, 97 pounds
- Natalie Walker of Greenville: third place, women's collegiate equipped, 114 pounds
- Britney George of Hawley: fourth place, women's collegiate wquipped, 165 pounds
Equipped contests allow competitors to wear special clothing, including bench shirts, squat suits and knee wraps, that allow them to lift heavier weights. Raw contests are conducted without any special clothing, an ASU release said.
Lifters complete three attempts each at squat, bench press and deadlift. The qualifying total is the sum of the highest weight lifted in each of the three disciplines.
Vargus, the club president, posted a total sum weight of 1,697 pounds to win his gold medal.
Also competing for ASU at the national meet were Annabelle Butts of Lubbock, Jeremiah Fultz of Cedar Hill, Bailey McKenzie of San Angelo, Jaylen Montgomery of Waco and Joshua Rayburn of Menard.
"I am very proud of all of the members of Ram Powerlifting," Dr. Adam Parker, professor of kinesiology and club faculty sponsor, said in the release. "They had a great season where they hosted their very first on-campus meet, helped fund their travels by judging at regional high school powerlifting meets, and sent nine members to nationals to compete. I am particularly proud of Michael Vargas, not only for his national title, but for his excellent leadership this year."
ASU club sports teams are registered student organizations directed and funded by the Office of Student Life and overseen by the Club Sports Council.
