Lions claim 14 medals at Handle Barbell Invitational

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Mars Hill weightlifting team claimed 14 medals at the 2026 Handle Barbell Invitational.

Mars Hill Weightlifting delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 Handle Barbell Invitational on February 7th, sending 15 lifters into competition and earning 7 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals. The team recorded 18 competition personal records across the snatch, clean & jerk, and total—demonstrating consistent execution and continued progress on the platform.

Competing head-to-head against ETSU in their final meet before University Nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Lions were training through the event as part of their current Nationals preparation cycle. 

Reagan Best, Alyssa Jordan, Makiyah Nickerson, Ivy Gunn, Ariana Acosta-Ramirez, Sebastian Rose, and Sam Wainwright each claimed first place in their respective weight classes, contributing to a team score that secured a second-place overall finish—just one point shy of the top spot. 

With University Nationals on the horizon, the Lions remain focused, motivated, and confident as they build toward peak performance in Salt Lake City.