MMA Cadets Place First at Powerlifting Nationals, Earn All-American Honors
MEXICO, MO — Missouri Military Academy (MMA) Cadets Kevin Wang and Kevith Sangster competed in the 2022 Natural Athlete Strength Association (NASA) National High School Meet in Oklahoma City on April 9 and 10, 2022. Both cadets earned first place finishes in their respective divisions, garnering status as national champions and High School All-American honors in the sport of powerlifting.
Wang and Sangster competed in the Junior-Senior class, Unequipped Full-Power, Push-Pull, and Power Sport. Unequipped is defined as using no more than a 4-inch lifting belt and wrist straps. Full-Power division consists of three lifts: squat, bench, and deadlift. Push-Pull consists of two lifts: bench and deadlift. Power Sport consists of three lifts: curl, bench, and deadlift. Lifters compete in their respective weight class in each division, so Cadets Wang and Sangster did not compete directly against each other.
Wang placed first in his division in Power Sport and Push-Pull, while finishing second in Full Power. He is a senior high school cadet from St. Clair, Michigan, the son of Qiu Hua and Zeng Nuan Wang.
Sangster placed first in his division in Power Sport and Push-Pull, while finishing third in Full Power. The son of Jennifer Harrison, he is a senior high school cadet from Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Our lifting team has grown over the past three years, and we were able to complete several times this year with the easing of COVID restrictions,” said MMA Strength Coach Thomas Allen. “Cadet Wang and Cadet Sangster have both worked hard in the weight room and have given our younger cadets great role models to follow. We are very proud of them in their efforts and accomplishments.”
Any high school cadet in good standing can participate in weightlifting, open from 2030-2120 Monday-Thursdays (after study hall) with Coach Allen.
NASA is in its 38th year of hosting nationals for high school students from across the continental United States. Wang and Sangster, both senior high school cadets, qualified for nationals at the Missouri State High School Meet in Trenton, Missouri on January 22.
Founded in 1889, Missouri Military Academy is an all-male, college preparatory military boarding school (middle school and high school) with a diverse domestic and international student population. The Academy’s rigorous program empowers young men to reach their potential as future college graduates, citizens of character, and leaders in their communities. MMA’s 360ⅹ Education㈢ fosters academic excellence, a healthy lifestyle and physical development, leadership and life skills, positive character development, and personal motivation. For more information, visit MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org.
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PHOTO: From left to right: Missouri Military Academy powerlifting coach Tom Allen, Cadets Kevin Wang and Kevith Sangster, and MMA President Richard V. Geraci. Cadets Wang and Sangster competed in the 2022Natural Athlete Strength Association (NASA) National High School Meet in Oklahoma City on April 9 and 10, 2022. Both cadets earned first place finishes in their respective divisions, garnering status as national champions and High School All-American honors in the sport of powerlifting.
