KENNER, La. -- From April 9th to 12th, over 1,200 athletes competed at the USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals held at the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center in Kenner, Louisiana. In just its third season of competition, Davenport University Powerlifting continued its ascent on the national stage, establishing itself among the top collegiate programs in the country. The Panthers brought 24 athletes, 12 men and 12 women, building on last year's breakthrough performance with another step forward across both divisions.
The women's team earned a 2nd place national finish out of 108 teams, maintaining its position among the nation's elite programs and closing the gap on Midland University's women's team, one of the most dominant programs in collegiate powerlifting history. The men's team secured a 3rd place national finish out of 119 teams, improving from 6th in 2025 and marking one of the largest jumps in the country. The result reflects steady improvement built on roster depth and continued athlete development.
National Champions & Key Performances
Davenport produced two national champions at the 2026 Collegiate Nationals.
- Delaney Sousley (48kg) successfully defended her national title, becoming a repeat national champion and further cementing her status as one of the program's top performers.
- Elizabeth Cleveland (100+kg) earned her first national championship with a 527.5 kg (1,163.0 lbs) total, delivering one of the standout performances of the meet. Cleveland narrowly missed a 222.5 kg (490.5 lbs) deadlift on her final attempt due to a slight downward motion that would have brought her total to 545 kg (1,202.5 lbs).
On the men's side,Â
Jadryan Rosario andÂ
Sean Murray each placed 2nd in their respective weight classes, finishing just behind national champions and contributing key points to the team total.
Team Depth
Davenport's women delivered a balanced team performance, with scoring spread across multiple weight classes to secure another national podium finish.
The men delivered a strong collective showing, with key performances across multiple weight classes driving their podium finish.
In three seasons, Davenport powerlifting has developed into a consistent national podium program. Back-to-back 2nd place finishes for the women's team, along with a 6th to 3rd place jump for the men, reflects steady improvement built on roster depth and continued athlete development. As the roster continues to mature and approaches its first group of seniors next season, the program's foundation continues to strengthen.
Looking Ahead
Next year's Collegiate Nationals will take place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, marking the next step in the program's continued rise on the national stage.
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