McKendree Powerlifting

Men’s team is looking stacked for the 2026/2027 season!!

Everyone welcome to the Bearcat family!! Very excited to have you with us Robert!!!💜

The 2026-2027 roster just keeps growing with great athletes!

Everyone welcome .life to the Bearcat family!! So happy to have you with us J’Lynn!! 💜

Wishing a very happy birthday to our May bearcats 💜🐾

It’s almost that time!!

Registration is OPEN for our 2026 Powerlifting Camp! Experience what its like to be a bearcat, with hands on training and tools from our coaching staff! To learn more and register, click the link in our bio! We hope to see you there! 💜🐾

Our Women’s Raw & Equipped Top DOTS of the Season 💜🐾

Our Men’s Raw & Equipped Top DOTS of the Season 💜🐾

thank you for having us!!

Yesterday, junior Mj Hochgraber and sophomore Parker Anderson got to throw the first pitches of the baseball game against Lewis University and be recognized for our teams accomplishments this season! GO BEARCATS 💜🐾

SMART AND STRONG 💪

Today was ‘s annual Academic Excellence Celebration! We are so proud of all of our bearcats who participated in presenting projects, research, and senior theses!! 💜🐾

Reflecting on Collegiate Nationals and our season as a whole, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to our head coach, Brad Bechel.

Brad joined McKendree powerlifting in 2019 as an intern and stepped into the head coach role in 2021. Brad is the heart and soul of this team. He embodies what true determination, discipline, and work ethic as a powerlifter looks like. He has never doubted his athletes for a second, believing in us even when we don’t believe in ourselves, and constantly pushing us to reach levels we never thought possible. What he’s built goes far beyond results or rankings, but a true family. In just five years, he has created one of the best collegiate powerlifting teams in the country, and the kind of team everyone wants to be part of. The culture we have on this team is truly something special, and that’s all because of Brad. Brad is the kind of mentor everyone hopes to have. Coach, we can’t thank you enough for everything. Every single one of us are so proud to be your athletes. we love you! Go Bearcats 💜

As the season comes to an end, we wanted to give a huge thank you to our CNATS handlers who dedicated their time and energy into ensuring our lifters had a successful meet. Our handlers worked tirelessly during nationals; getting lifters warmed up, calling attempts, giving cues, and being our biggest cheerleaders as we step on the platform. We can’t thank you enough. Without your efforts, our team would not be where it is today. 💜