On Saturday, 5 December 2009, VMI Powerlifting hosted the first ever USAPL (USA Powerlifting) VMI Powerlifting Classic on main gym floor of Cocke Hall.  The event hosted power lifters from all over the state and also 18 VMI cadets.  The event was a tremendous success with four cadets qualifying for USAPL Collegiate Nationals which will be held in Orlando, FL during April 16 – 18 of 2010.  Those cadets who qualified are Cadet Ben Ashooh, Cadet John Rivas, Cadet Robert Stockman and Cadet Jessie Rende.  Cadet Rende also became the first ever woman from VMI to qualify for the prestigious Powerlifting nationals.   That is a huge accomplishment for Cadet Rende and I know she is extremely proud of that.  Other lifters who are already qualified for Nationals are Cadet Lee Hafkemeyer, Cadet Sharif Gray, and Cadet Owen Trotman.   VMI Powerlifting now has a total of 7 lifters qualified for the USAPL Collegiate Nationals.  I expect more cadets to qualify for nationals at the 2010 USAPL VA Open Powerlifting Championships on 27 February 2010 in Stanardsville, VA.  Notable spectators at the event were USAPL #1 Ranked Super Heavy Weight power lifter Brian Siders and VMI Alum and BOV Member General John P. Jumper ‘66, former United States Air Force Chief of Staff. 

Here is a breakdown of how the cadets placed in his/her respective weight class:

Kenneth Cross – 1^st place 114lb. Weight Class

Lee Hafkemeyer – 1^st place 148lb. Weight Class

Robert Stockman – 1^st place 165lb. Weight Class

Sharif Gray – 2^nd place 165lb. Weight Class

James Clayton – 3^rd place 165. Weight Class

Matt Jones – 4^th place 165lb. Weight Class

Owen Trotman – 1^st place 181b. Weight Class

John Rivas - 2^nd place 181lb. Weight Class

Steve Hong – 3^rd place 181lb. Weight Class

Caleb Gibson – 4^th place 181lb. Weight Class

Kory Wessel – 5^th place 181lb. Weight Class

Patrick Sweeney – 1^st place 198lb. Weight Class

Colin Antonucci – 2^nd place 198lb. Weight Class

Aaron Baez – 1^st place 198lb. Weight Class (RAW)    

Ben Ashooh – 1^st place 220lb. Weight Class

Micah Coate – 1^st place Women 148lb. Weight Class

Jessie Rende – 1^st place Women 198lb. Weight Class