Powerlifters earn runner-up trophy at Orchard AAU meet

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The 2022 Orchard AAU powerlifting Meet was held Saturday, April 9, with a lineup of 118 registered lifters from around Nebraska and Iowa, representing 14 different teams.

Organizer Jeff Shabram said, "It was the 15th year for the Orchard meet and this year was the largest."

Eleven Summerland powerlifters competed Saturday. These 11 lifters had "an outstanding day of lifting in front of the home crowd, breaking six total state and American records and four Summerland school records," Shabram said.

"Not to mention each lifter setting numerous personal bests."

The entire field of competition saw 13 different lifters set a total of 29 state records and six American records. Among that group was Matt Umphress and Raina Krebs.

Umphress set the AAU state and American records for the 148-pound class deadlift, at 440 pounds, and a push-pull total of 622.75 lbs.

Krebs set AAU state records in her weight class for bench only, 121 pounds, and deadlift, 331 lbs.

Umphress also won the outstanding male lightweight lifter of the meet, based on strength index. He won this award with an index of 6.32, a new school record. Speaking of school records, Krebs also broke the in bench and deadlift, all previously held by Larissa Thomson.

After a busy day of lifting was finished, the Summerland team earned the 2022 Nebraska AAU runner-up trophy in the co-ed team division.

Niobrara/Verdigre took home the top trophy, scoring 97 points.

Summerland finsihed with 85, followed by Boyd County 61; Fullerton, 45 and Silver Lake, 29.

In the boys' team division, N/V scored 91 points to finish first. DC West finished second with 51 points; Grand Island, third, 34 points; David City Aquinas, fourth, 20 points; Ainsworth, fifth, 17 points and Amherst, sixth, six points.

Shabram said Summerland had an amazing nine individual AAU champions, including Connor Thomson, 123-pound raw class; Jorden Cox, 132-pound youth raw class; Umphress, 148-pound raw class; Caleb Krebs, 275-pound open raw class; Sierra Thomson, 105-pound youth raw class; Amor Zermeno, 105-pound raw class; Aiyana Krebs, 148-pound youth raw class; Jadyn Hobbs, 165-pound raw class and Raina Krebs 198-plus-pound raw class.

Other Bobcat medalists included Christian Behnk, third, 275-pound class and Gaven Gilsdorf 165-pound raw class.

Saturday's meet was the last of the 2021-22 school year. Next season kicks off with the Lexington powerlifting Meet in mid-December.

"Nice job and keep up the good work kids. It is fun to watch you grow in both mind and body," Shabram said.

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 2022 Orchard Meet link.

"Saturday was an overall amazing display of power for many of the competitors. The heaviest total this year was lifted by Mark Schellen of Waterloo, with 1,488 pounds," Shabram said. "And this man is 60 years old."

According to Shabram, the meet could not happen without sponsors and volunteers. Approximately 25 businesses and individuals sponsored the event. More than 25 individuals volunteered time to assist with the mechanics of the meet and another group took charge of the concession stand.

"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.

The 2023 Orchard powerlifting Meet will be held April 1.