Ram Powerlifters Medal at Nationals

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Ram powerlifter Michael Vargas with his 2022 Collegiate Nationals Gold Medal

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Ram powerlifter Michael Vargas with his 2022 Collegiate Nationals Gold Medal

Michael Vargas of Ozona won the Gold Medal in the 181-pound weight class of the Men’s Collegiate Equipped contest 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: 2^nd Place, Women’s Collegiate Equipped, 97 pounds
• Natalie Walker of Greenville: 3^rd Place, Women’s Collegiate Equipped, 114 pounds
• Britney George of Hawley: 4^th Place, Women’s Collegiate Equipped, 165 pounds

Melissa Nunez - national runner-up 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. 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.

Vargas, 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,” said Dr. Adam Parker, professor of kinesiology and club faculty sponsor. “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 that are directed and funded by the Office of Student Life and overseen by the Club Sports Council.