Las Vegas, Nevada – Redemption.

Returning to the place where GCU lifter and Powerlifting Head Coach Dawson Aaron got 2^nd place last year, the GCU Powerlifting team drove up to the Sin City on January 10 to compete in Powerlifting America Bench Press Nationals, this time claiming four top-5 finishes, headlined by Aaron's gold medal performance.

"I wanted this one really bad," said Aaron. "After getting 2^nd last year and knowing that this will be my last year as a junior division lifter, I knew I had to work to make it happen."

Aaron's lifts this year reflected all of that work, as he topped the 83kg junior division with a 407lb press, improving on his top lift from last year by 10lbs.

The Lopes, who only sent Aaron last year, traveled with a larger group this year including four other lifters: Austin Batis (74kg, 4^th place), Marcelo Chanaba (66kg, 4^th place), Caitlin Le (63kg, 2^nd place), and Jayden Vogt (105kg, 9^th place). Le's 2^nd-place press was 154lbs.
 

"It's always nice to get our lifters more opportunities to lift at the national level," said Aaron. "I love seeing the way that they rise to the occasion and compete. Every year we have more lifters participate in national events and I hope that trend continues."



Next up the team will prepare for the Powerlifting America University National Championships in Salt Lake City, UT in April. Here on campus, the team is getting ready to host their annual GCU Powerlifting Mock Meet in the GCU Club Sports Weight Room on February 28.

"I'm super excited for our team and the chance for our guys to improve on their 6^th-place finish at Nats from last year," said Aaron. "And then obviously the girls finished on the podium last year, so we're looking forward to defending that 2^nd-place finish."