The GCU Powerlifting team traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah for the 2026 Powerlifting America Collegiate National Championships, where the Lopes delivered multiple podium finishes, a pair of national champions, and a near team podium on the women's side.
The GCU women's team finished 4th overall, narrowly missing a team podium by just one point behind Fresno State, while the men's team placed 12th overall. The Lopes also earned a 3rd-place finish in the equipped division, highlighted by recent transfer lifter Evan Bernal, who placed first overall and became a national champion in the 74kg weight class.
Leading the way for GCU was
Kenzie Probasco, who captured a national championship in the women's 84+ kg division after an impressive performance that included massive personal records across all three lifts. Probasco squatted 480 pounds, benched 264 pounds, and deadlifted 450 pounds, adding nearly 30 kilograms to her total from last season.
"Kenzie took 3rd at this event last year, and after that she really wanted to win this year," said head coach
Dawson Aaron. "The work she put in reflected that. She was able to add 30 kilos to her total, and we're excited to see her improve again next year."
With the victory, Probasco also earned an invitation to compete at the FISU University World Championships in Dubai this November.
Additional podium performances came from
Emily Bailey, who placed 3rd, and
Faith Anderson, who finished 5th in their respective divisions.
On the men's side, GCU was led by
Sylas Glazier (6th),
Dawson Aaron (7th), and
Marcelo Chanaba (8th).
One of the more unique storylines of the trip came from Bernal, who is the only Lope to compete in the equipped category. Bernal transferred from Hesston College in Kansas specifically to join the GCU Powerlifting program and helped the Lopes secure their equipped team finish.
"Having an equipped lifter was new for us, and it was cool to see Evan progress," Aaron said. "His success has encouraged some of our other lifters to try equipped next year."
Despite graduating multiple senior podium finishers from last season's roster, Aaron was encouraged by the development shown from the team's younger athletes throughout the weekend.
"Last year we had two lifters 'bomb out' and get disqualified, but this year we had zero," Aaron noted. "Everyone hit at least one PR. We graduated a lot of athletes last year, so we thought it would be hard, but our youth showed up and showed out."
"For the girls especially, missing the podium by one point is going to light a fire under them," Aaron said. "We think this group can continue to improve and dominate next year."
Next up for GCU Powerlifting is International Powerlifting Federation Bench Press World Championships in Warsaw, Poland, at the end of this month where Aaron will once again represent the Lopes.
