LEBANON, Ill. – The Davenport University women's powerlifting team kicked off their third competitive season with a dominant showing at the
2025 USAPL Bearcat Classic: McKendree vs Davenport, held October 4 at McKendree University. Facing off in a focused dual meet format, Davenport's 10-woman squad emerged victorious,
clinching 1st place overall by securing
Best Lifter titles in two of the three weight categories—Lightweights and Middleweights.
With lifters ranked by DOTS (a formula used to compare strength performances across weight classes), the Panthers didn't need a large roster to make a major impact—they delivered power, precision, and poise where it counted most.
Women's Highlights
- Delaney Sousley (48kg) – Best Lightweight Lifter, 1st Place in Lightweights
- 500 DOTS, 380kg total (837.8 lbs)
- Squat: 145kg (319.7 lbs)
- Bench: 77.5kg (170.9 lbs)
- Deadlift: 157.5kg (347.2 lbs)
- Sousley is the reigning USAPL Collegiate National Champion in the 48kg weight class, and her 500 DOTS performance at the Bearcat Classic reaffirms her status as one of the strongest collegiate lightweights in the nation.
- Jordyn Harris (75kg) – Best Middleweight Lifter, 1st Place in Middleweights
- 461 DOTS, 467.5kg total (1030.3 lbs)
- Squat: 175kg (385.8 lbs)
- Bench: 92.5kg (203.9 lbs)
- Deadlift: 200kg (440.9 lbs)
- Harris delivered a standout performance, setting Michigan Teen 3 State Records in the squat, deadlift, and total. Her total was just 12 pounds shy of the winning total at the 2025 Collegiate Nationals, positioning her as a rising national contender in the 75kg weight class.
Davenport's victories in both the Lightweight and Middleweight categories—two of the three divisions used to determine team placement—were enough to secure
1st place overall against host McKendree University.
From the Head Coach
"Our women had a dominant performance this past weekend against McKendree University," said Connor Birchmeier, Head Powerlifting Coach at Davenport University.
"They displayed professionalism and composure on the platform, executing their lifts to a high standard and supporting one another behind the scenes. It's no surprise they took home the gold and made a statement heading into our third season as a team."
Looking Ahead: Eyes on Nationals
While no
new athletes qualified for nationals at this meet, many team members had already secured their qualifying totals during last season. The Bearcat Classic served as a strong early-season performance and confidence boost for the Panthers.
Next up, Davenport's freshman women's roster will compete at the 2025 USA Powerlifting Collegiate Crossroads, taking place November 15–16 in Indianapolis, Indiana. As one of the team's major qualifying opportunities this fall, the Panthers anticipate adding more athletes to their nationals roster ahead of the 2026 USAPL Collegiate Nationals, scheduled for April 9–12, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
With a defending national champion in Sousley, a rising national contender in Harris, and a deep freshman class ready to prove themselves, Davenport is positioned for another record-setting season in collegiate powerlifting.
