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The 2023 Orchard AAU powerlifting Meet was held Saturday, April 1 at the community center.

"An awesome lineup of 160 registered lifters from across the Midwest competed," said organizer Jeff Shabram. "This year's meet was the largest sanctioned AAU meet ever in Nebraska, so three lifting platforms were required to accommodate the extremely large crowd in the Orchard gym. It was the 16th year for the Orchard meet."

Twelve Summerland powerlifters competed Saturday.

"These 12 lifters had an outstanding day of lifting in front of the home crowd, breaking five total state records and four Summerland school records," Shabram said. "Not to mention many lifters setting numerous personal bests which is impressive considering the high school lifters only had six days of rest coming off the Class D state meet on March 25."

The entire field of competition saw 29 different lifters set a total of 56 state records, 10 American records and even one world record, set by Amelian Hakl, of Boyd County, in bench press.

Among the record setters were Summerland team members Amor Zermeno and Raina Krebs.

Zermeno set the AAU state record for the 105-pound raw class push-pull bench press, at 88 pounds.

Krebs set AAU state records in her weight class for bench only, 127 pounds, along with push-pull deadlift, 369 pounds and push-pull total, 496 pounds. Krebs also broke the following school records she previously held: squat, 270 pounds; bench press, 127 pounds; deadlift, 369 pounds and total, 766 pounds.

After the busy day of lifting was finished, the Summerland team earned the 2023 Nebraska AAU third-place trophies in the high school and combined junior high/senior high team divisions.

The Elsie Magwire Memorial Female Outstanding Lifter of the meet, based on strength index, went to Gabrielle Pavlik of Verdigre, with an index of 4.51.

Another special award was presented to Gunnar Shabram of Orchard. He won the Conner Jackman Memorial Warrior Spirit Beastmode Mentality special award for his commitment to the sport of powerlifting and helping others.

"This brought the crowd to their feet," Shabram said.

Niobrara/Verdigre won the high school team title, scoring 86 points. Grand Island finished second with 73; Summerland, third, 55; Silver Lake, fourth, 51; Boyd County, fifth, 33.

In the combined junior high/senior high division, N/V scored 100 points to claim the championship. Boyd County finished second with 67 points, followed by Summerland, 61; Centura, 27 and Westwood, Iowa, 10.

The top three combined student/adult teams included Team Schellen, first, 100 points; Ainsworth, second, 20; and Osmond, third, 13.

"Summerland had an amazing seven individual AAU champions," Shabram said.

Gold-medal winners included Michael Sonnenfelt, 77-pound raw class; Connor Thomson, 132-pound raw class; Matt Umphress, 165-pound raw class (bench only); Gavin Whiting, 242-pound raw class; Amor Zermeno, 105-pound raw class; Clair Krysl, 132-pound equipped class and Krebs, 198+ raw class.

Other Bobcat medalists included Landon Nelson, third, 148-pound youth raw class; Jadyn Hobbs, third, 148-pound raw class; Jorden Cox, fifth, 148-pound youth raw class; Aiyana Krebs, sixth, 148-pound raw class; and Colby Hupp, eighth, 198-pound raw class.

Shabram said, "It was an impressive display of power Saturday as many of the Bobcat lifters increased totals and bumped up to stronger lifting clubs

Saturday's meet was the last of the 2022-23 school year. Next season kicks off with the Lexington powerlifting Meet in December.

Shabram congratulated the Summerland lifters for their accomplishments.

"Keep up the good work kids. It is fun to watch you grow in both mind and body," he said.

"Saturday was an overall amazing display of power for many of the competitors," Shabram said.

The heaviest total this year was lifted by Anthony Nichols of Sioux City, with 1,703 pounds.

Another highlight was 64-year-old Monte Lofing of Beatrice, competing in the 148-pound class. He set the American record deadlift with 443 pounds.

A complete list of results, along with records, should be posted soon on the http://www.aau-ne.com website and the http://www.nebraskapowerlifting.com website, under the 2023 Orchard Meet link.

Shabram said the meet would not be possible without sponsors and volunteers from the community.

Judges included Ethan Wondercheck, Kaci Schacht, Monte Shabram, Justin Allemang, Grant Magnuson, Jacob Behnk, Larissa Thomson, Scott Hansen, and world record-holder Steve Davenport. Working as spotters and loaders were Kelly Wagner, Caleb Krebs, Kaiden Bauer, Justin Reiley, Trey Sucha, Walker Kotrous, Levi Robinette, Cash Wickersham and Landon McAllister.

The scorer's table consisted of Amanda Shabram, Kristi Rohrer, Jenny Motacek, Katie Ryan, Karla Uhlir, Kerry Wickersham, Roni Robinette, Eve Kucera, Emmarie Pavlik, Taylor Teadtke and Lina Bauer, who kept the large meet running smoothly.

Ticket table and T-shirts sales were manned by Rita Shabram, Sally Cronk, Pam Frank and Abby Frank. Various N/V lifters and parents recorded video.

LuAnn Schindler | SAM

Matt Umphress

"The very popular concession stand was provided by Stephanie Cleveland, with help from powerlifting parents and Orchard community volunteers, all sponsored by Dusty's," Shabram said.

Reiman Coffee Company was present with coffee and smoothies.

The hospitality room for meet workers and coaches was provided by Orchard Old School Thrift.

"It takes individuals from multiple communities to pull off this big of an event, and it was another wonderful highlight of a fun powerlifting season," Shabram said.