LINCOLN, Neb. – A small field of Bulldogs entered into the competition at the 2026 USA Powerlifting Nebraska State Championship held in Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 31-Feb. 1. In highlighting the efforts of the Concordia University, Nebraska Powerlifting team, junior Will Peterson won the junior division title at 140 kilograms. Meanwhile, Pryce Ostermeier and Hunter Powers placed second and third, respectively, in the 82.5 kg weight class. The meet was hosted by the Lincoln Sports Foundation.
The competition marked the first outing for Head Coach Freddie Myles’ squad since the Central Collegiate Cup Series back in November. Myles was pleased to see Peterson, Powers and Garrett Reimeche return to the platform after missing fall semester competition due to injury.
A native of Yutan, Neb., Peterson placed fifth in the 140 kg class at the 2024 USA Powerlifting Collegiate National Championships and has the ability to challenge for a higher national placement this spring. At the state championships this past weekend, Peterson totaled 762.5 kg while posting lifts of 285 kg in squat, 182.5 kg in bench and 295 kg in deadlift. His total at the 2024 national meet came in at 767.5 kg.
A summary of Concordia’s performances at the Nebraska State Championship is included below. Ostermeier totaled 575 kg on his way to second place while Powers produced a total of 480 kg in landing in third place. Reimeche and Adam Widmann competed within a category referred to as “All Guest” in rounding out the Bulldogs’ efforts.
Nebraska State Powerlifting Meet summary
· Pryce Ostermeier (82.5 kg) – 205 kg squat; 130 kg bench; 240 kg deadlift; 575 kg total.
· Will Peterson (140 kg) – 285 kg squat; 182.5 kg bench; 295 kg deadlift; 762.5 kg total.
· Hunter Powers (82.5 kg) – 165 kg squat; 125 kg bench; 190 kg deadlift; 480 kg total.
· Garrett Reimeche (73 kg, All Guest) – 125 kg bench.
· Adam Widmann (100 kg, All Guest) – 195 kg squat; 155 kg bench; 210 kg deadlift; 560 kg total.
Myles’ group of powerlifters will have the entire months of February and March to prepare for the 2026 USA Powerlifting Collegiate National Championships, which are slated for April 9-12 at the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center in Kenner, La.