SUNY Cortland’s Student Life Center buzzed with excitement on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, as it welcomed its annual powerlifting meet. Here, our campus’s strongest lifters gathered, ready to push the limits of strength and endurance. Registration for the meet opened at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 18th. Within the hour, an influx of entries prompted the closure of sign-ups, highlighting the overwhelming enthusiasm from participants. Those who secured their spots knew they had about a month to perfect their lifts.
Participants included: Jacob Duggan, Nate Vivelo, TJ Marrero, Andrew MacGray, Leo Rabinovich, Tyler Dame-Meehan, Nick Moran Torreblanca, Brandon Farewell, Joshua Reis, Patrick McCane, Eric Oh, Ryan Harris, Kenny Macumber, Matt Lee, Kyle Paracka, Jeremiah Van Leuven, Megan Spencer, Autumn Stoia, and Samantha Mckay.
The Cortland Powerlifting Meet adheres to the conventions of a traditional powerlifting meet. A traditional powerlifting meet typically consists of three main lifts: the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Participants aim to lift as much weight as possible for each of these lifts within three attempts. Lifters are usually categorized by gender, weight class, and age group, at Cortland, participants were only categorized by gender and weight class. During each lift judges closely monitor to ensure the lift meets specific standards, including proper form and depth. This was no exception at Cortland, as experienced lifters, Danny Montenegro, Paige White, and Sarah McSweeney, sat in as judges for this meet.
The meet kicked off at 6:00 p.m., with the squat marking the first lift of the night. The student life center was packed; families, friends, and faculty had all convened here to show support. The spirit of camaraderie permeated every corner of the Student Life Center, uniting everyone in a shared celebration of strength. As each participant took to the platform encouragement was provided. Whether it was someone’s first meet or their twentieth they received the same treatment and respect. Such humility and kindness characterized the community, fostering an environment of inclusivity and encouragement for all.
The judges calculated the strongest lifts by considering the weight lifted relative to body weight. For the squat, Samantha McKay stood out in the female division, demonstrating remarkable strength with a 290 lbs squat. Meanwhile, in the male division, Matt Lee impressed everyone with a squat of 480 lbs.
After the squat, all eyes turned to the bench press. Following the impressive feats of strength witnessed during the squat portion of the competition, spectators were eager to witness the bench press. It lived up to expectations, with participants showcasing their best performances. The energy in the room surged as Leo Rabinovich astounded the crowd with an impressive bench press of 415 lbs. As for the top performers in this lift, Samantha McKay and Matt Lee emerged as the strongest male and female competitors, continuing to uphold their titles. Samantha McKay achieved an impressive 160 lbs on the bench, while Matt Lee demonstrated his strength with a solid 315 lbs.
As the evening continued, the deadlift stole the show, leaving the crowd in awe with a series of remarkable personal records, intensifying the thrill of the event. Of particular note was TJ Marrero’s incredible 700lb deadlift, prompting an eruption of cheers and applause that filled the room. Top performers for this lift included TJ Marrero, with his all-time PR, and Samantha McKay with an amazing 315lbs.
As the night drew to a close, Samantha McKay and Matt Lee were crowned the strongest man and woman, a result that came as little surprise to many who had witnessed their unwavering dedication and hard work throughout the event. Their achievements filled everyone with immense pride, serving as an inspiration to all who watched them.
The SUNY Cortland Powerlifting meet exemplified the strong sense of spirit and unity that defines our campus. The enduring love and support present in the room underscored the deep connections shared among participants. It was an extraordinary experience, demonstrating not only the physical prowess on display but also the profound camaraderie and inspiration that unite us as a community.