Draft:Northeastern University Powerlifting

Powerlifting is a strength sport consisting of three different exercises, the squat, the bench press and the deadlift. Competitions are based on weight class, as well as a calculated strength to bodyweight ratio scoring system, known as DOTS, with each athlete in competition allowed three attempts at each of the three different exercises. Powerlifting rules and regulations depend on the federation competitors belong to, with variation in weight class delineations, command requirements and judging all varying between federations. Northeastern University Powerlifting competes in the USAPL Federation, following the USA Powerlifting rulebook.

Background Information:
Northeastern University Powerlifting (NUPL) was founded in 2007 by Joe Cappellino, Eli Laipson and Mike Zawilinski, a strength coach at Northeastern, originally as only a men's team. Joe Cappellino would remain integrated with Northeastern University Powerlifting through 2014, acting as the teams coach. By the teams second year, it expanded into both a men's and a women's team. The team originated as an equipped powerlifting team, meaning members are expected to lift in gear, such as squat suits, knee wraps, bench shirts, and deadlift suits. The team was active in the universities training center, Cabot center, until 2020. Covid-19 forced practice to be put on hold, preventing the team from training together until restrictions were removed. The NUPL women's team has been dominant at many local Massachusetts meets in recent years, with many women placing first in their weight classes, as well as a team victory. In 2023, six members of the women's team placed in the top 5 for their weight classes, with two of the men's team placing top 5 in their respective weight classes. At 2023 Collegiate Nationals, the women's team was able to send 22 girls to compete, whereas the men's team only managed to send 6 competitors.

Tryouts
Northeastern University Powerlifting hosts tryouts every fall semester, starting in September, with veterans on the team also being required to participate in tryouts. Tryouts typically run for 6 days, an initial 3 day tryout, consisting of all those who are trying to get on the team, and have a day dedicated to each of the primary lifts, one day for squat, one for bench, and one for deadlift. The first challenge posed is a 3-rep max attempt, where trainees attempt a maximum effort lift for 3 repetitions, as a way for veteran and e-board members to gauge strength. Following the 3-rep max attempt, tryouts contain various teambuilding and strength challenges, such as wheelbarrow races, plank or pull-up competitions, and more. After the first 3 days are completed, E-board members select the strongest group of candidates, weighting strength, personality, team characteristics and potential, and select a group for the second set of tryouts. This second set of tryouts contains similar challenges as the first round, but much more focused on the ability for trainees to adapt to advice on positioning, form, and fit to the team. After the second set of tryouts, the final roster is selected by the e-board, and that becomes the team for that calendar year.

E-Board
The Northeastern University Powerlifting men's team E-board consists of 6 positions, President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Social Media Manager, and Fundraising Chair. The women's team E-board has just 5 positions, President, Treasurer, Secretary, Social Media Manager and Fundraising Chair. These positions are responsible for various activities, including organizing the trip to collegiate nationals every year, arranging transportation, advertising, fundraising and more. The E-Board is selected democratically every year, with members of the team voting at the end of the spring semester for next years E-board. Each E-board position can be filled by the same person year to year if voted for, however, often the positions are filled by different team members year to year, allowing for the club to continually bring in fresh and inspired leadership.

Records
Northeastern University Powerlifting has set records in multiple states, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and more. Members of Northeastern powerlifting have also set American records in the USAPL federation for their weight class and age. Most recently, Elizabeth Yarde, a veteran on the women's team set a Massachusetts state record with a 202.5kg deadlift, weighting 82.5kg. Other members, such as Joy Li, hold the Raw Teen 3 record for all three lifts in the 90kg weight class, with a 147.5kg squat, 92.5kg bench, and a 157.5kg deadlift. Many other members of both teams hold records in other states, and several have broken state and world records unofficially, as there was not a world record certified judge present at the time of the lift. Joe Cappellino, one of Northeastern University Powerliftings founders, would go on to place first at a variety of meets, including the Word Open Equipped Powerlifting Championship in 2023, Equipped Nationals in 2021, the Pro American in 2013, and many other meets in between.

Current Year - 2024
The Northeastern University Powerlifting Team is sending a total of 26 lifters to compete at Collegiate Nationals 2024 located in Atlanta Georgia, taking place April 11th-14th. Of the 26 lifters competing, 14 belong to the women's team, with the remaining 12 being members of the men's team. Both teams have submitted full scoring teams, each scoring team is permitted to consist of up to 12 men and 12 women. There are additional rules for scoring teams, with no more than 2 members from each team in the same weight class, with only the top 5 scoring members of each teams points being counted toward the final tally. Team awards are presented to only the top 3 scoring teams, however, individual awards are presented to the top 5 placements in each weight class and category regardless of team affiliation.