Menlo College's weightlifting team delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 USAW National Championships, building on last year's successes. Key highlights include sophomore Jade Morales, who won her third gold medal with a personal-best total of 176kg, and Ryan Padron, who secured first place in his division with a perfect 6-for-6 lift record. Outgoing senior James Woodley and underclassman Kira Barad also achieved notable placements, rounding out a strong showing by the team.

By the Numbers
  • Jade Morales: 76kg snatch, 100kg clean and jerk, total 176kg.
  • Ryan Padron: 117kg snatch, 154kg clean and jerk, total 271kg.
  • Kira Barad: Total of 159kg with a clean and jerk jump from 85kg to 90kg.
State of Play
  • Morales dominated her competition, with a 17kg lead over the second place finisher.
  • Padron edged his competitor by just 1kg, highlighting the competitiveness of their division.
  • Woodley and Barad concluded their seasons with strong performances, indicating a positive trend for future recruits.
What's Next

The team looks to build on this momentum into the next season, with Morales and other rising stars set to lead. Recruitment efforts may focus on bolstering the roster to sustain competitive gains established by the current team.

Bottom Line

Menlo's weightlifting program has shown remarkable growth, driven by standout performances and a promising future led by talented underclassmen. The team鈥檚 achievements at Nationals underscore their potential to reshape competitive weightlifting in upcoming years.