VARSITY COLLEGIATE POWERLIFTING PROGRAM
ABOUT
About McKendree Powerlifting
McKendree Powerlifting was the first fully funded collegiate powerlifting program established in the country. Our powerlifting team is a varsity program that is ran through the McKendree University Athletic Department. This provides a unique opportunity for powerlifters to continue their academic and powerlifting career at the collegiate level.
As a varsity sport at McKendree University we provide opportunities that may not be offered with club teams. All powerlifting expenses are covered which include memberships, entry fees, travel, etc.
The McKendree Powerlifting Team competes within the USAPL as it is easily the most competitive powerlifting federation at the collegiate level.
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COACHES
GUILLERMO BLANCO
HEAD COACH
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Guillermo Blanco was named the Head Men's and Women's Powerlifting Coach at McKendree University in November 2018.
Blanco helped lead the men's raw powerlifting team to a National Ranking of #2 in the USAPL Collegiate Team Standings in 2020. He also lead the team to a third-place finish at the 2019 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Collegiate Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. There, he helped four lifters earn All-American honors, three of which earned a podium finish.
Blanco came to McKendree after spending two years as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Aurora University in Aurora, Ill., in 2017. There, he helped design and implement training programs for the Spartan's student-athletes. He also served as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Wheaton-Warrenville South High School football team (2016-17) in Warrenville, Ill.
Blanco has gained valuable experience as a Sports Performance Specialist for Acceleration Sports Performance (2014-17) in Naperville, Ill. There, he helped train athletes aged youth to collegiate-level and develop skills that enhanced their sports performance through a variety of platforms.
Blanco was a strength and conditioning intern for the football program at the University of Illinois. His role there was to coach players through training sessions designed by the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and served as the lead coach for the Fighting Illini walk-on players.
Blanco has a notable history and continues to participate in the competitive powerlifting community. He has competed in the American Powerlifting Federation (APF) since 2015. He set a national and world records in the 100 kg Open Classic Raw Division squat (295 kg) in 2017. He also represented Team USA at the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) World Championship in the 100 kg Open Classic Raw Division in November 2018 placing 3rd.
Blanco graduated from the University of Illinois in 2012, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and earned his Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Louisville in 2013.
Blanco is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
BRAD BECHEL
ASSISTANT COACH
Bechel has been competing personally in powerlifting competitions since he was 14 years old and then coaching and personal training since 2012. He has multiple medals and awards from his time competing including a bronze medal at the 2016 USPA National Championship and was named the 2017 overall best lifter at the 2017 Chicago Fit Expo.
In 242/275lb weight class competition, Bechel has recorded a personal best total weight of 1,827lbs over his 19 years of competing. His best in the squat is 700lbs, a 501lb lift in the bench press, and then 661lbs deadlift.
Prior to McKendree, Bechel was studying at Lindenwood University where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management after graduating from Southwester Illinois College with a physical therapist assistant degree. Before pursuing his higher education, Bechel was a member of the United States Army from 2005 till 2009.
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CONTACT US
Performance Center Address:
109 Perryman St.
Lebanon, IL 62254
School Address:
701 College Rd.
Lebanon, IL 62254
Phone:
618-537-4458