Powerlifter Competes at USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals

Chicago, Ill., (June 18, 2026)- A Missouri Valley College powerlifter competed at the USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals in Chicago, Ill., recently.

Graduate Student Lauren Bates (Kearney, Mo.) competed in her first USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals in the Open 100+kg weight class division.  Bates finished with a 182.5kg/424.4lb squat, 87.5kg/192.9lb bench, and a 200kg/440.9lb deadlift for a 460kg/1014.13lb total in the competition.  Bates is a two-time All-American for the powerlifting program (2022 and 2025).

The USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals is a Nation-wide competition where lifters qualify to compete through sanctioned meets, hitting a qualifying total for the event.  The competition include Youth, Raw and Masters nationals, with competitors aged from 8-90-plus.

About Missouri Valley College

Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.