COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Menlo College Weightlifting left its mark in the Rockies this weekend, delivering an unforgettable performance at the 2025 USA Weightlifting National Championships, led by Head Coach Kevin Doherty. Veteran lifters and rising stars alike stepped up to the platform, with senior James Woodley and incoming freshman Jade Morales clinching coveted National Championship titles to headline an incredible showing for the Oaks.

RESULTS

James Woodley - U23 71kg National Champion 

James Woodley, a senior from Danville, CA, proved once again why he's among the nation's elite. Competing with the poise and grit that have defined his career, Woodley went 5-for-6, going 3-for-3 in the snatch and recovering brilliantly in the clean and jerk after a narrow miss. He easily handled 103kg and 105kg snatches before his grand finale at 107kg, to earn Gold in the snatch. He started at 125kg as the heaviest lifter and got all white lights to open clean and jerks. A big jump to 129kg was a tough push and Woodley barely missed his second lift. His final lift, a clutch, all-or-nothing, redemption 129kg clean and jerk, secured a 236kg total, three Gold medals, and his third career top-three national finish. The lift, called by Coach Doherty "one of the most courageous lifts I have ever seen," showcased Woodley's nerves of steel and earned him All-American honors and the title of National Champion.

 

Jade Morales - JR 53kg National Champion 

Jade Morales, an incoming freshman from Redwood City, CA, turned heads by claiming her fifth career National Championship title in the junior division. Morales went a perfect 3-for-3 in snatches starting at 70kg and going up by 2kg each opportunity to finish with a 74kg snatch, earning a silver medal to start. It came down to clean and jerks which was not an easy battle. She missed 96kg off the bat but rebounded quickly to finish 2-for-3, closing out with a massive 100kg lift to total 174kg. Morales secured two Golds and a Silver, staking her claim as one of the brightest young lifters in the country. "Jade's focus and dedication to rehab will help propel Menlo's program to the next level. She is the consummate pro!," Coach Doherty said. This statement follows an incredible journey recovering from injury just 8 weeks ago. 

 

Jared Ambrosio - U25 88kg 7th Place

Graduated senior Jared Ambrosio, from South San Francisco, CA, made his final meet as an athlete, one to remember before he begins his transition into the Menlo coaching staff. Ambrosio went 4-for-6 overall, highlighted by a stunning clean and jerk performance. Jared hit a 107kg snatch to finish 11th in the group before dominating in the clean and jerks. After opening at 137kg and following with 140kg, he smashed his previous PR with a new best of 148kg to go 3-for-3 in the lift. His 255kg total earned him 7th place, 5th place in the clean and jerk, in one of the nation's strongest divisions.

Kira Barad - JR 86kg 13th place

Meanwhile, Kira Barad, a freshman-now-sophomore from Kapolei, Hawaii, capped off her debut collegiate season with another standout national appearance. Birad went 5-for-6, finishing with a 67kg snatch after going 2-for-3, placing 12th in the group. She then went a flawless 3-for-3 in clean and jerks beginning with 84kg and pushing herself to a 90kg finish. Kira lifted a total of 157kg and secured 11th in the clean and jerk, claiming 13th overall. Her fearless performance sets the stage for big things to come.


Jeshua Ambrosio - U23 94kg 9th place
Adding another layer to the Ambrosio legacy was Jeshua Ambrosio, Jared's brother, who made his first appearance as an Oak in the U23 division. Jeshua, who joined Menlo this spring as a junior transfer after graduating Magna Cum Laude from Skyline College, placed 9th overall at his debut meet. He went 2-for-6, hitting a 102kg snatch and a 135kg clean and jerk for a 237kg total. It was an electric moment for Menlo to watch the Ambrosio brothers share the stage and represent the Oaks together on the national platform.

 

Menlo Weightlifting continues to raise the bar on the national stage, blending veteran leadership with a new generation of talent. With champions like Woodley and Morales paving the way, the Oaks are proving they're a force to be reckoned with, now and in the future.

 

About Menlo College Weightlifting

Menlo College Weightlifting is a nationally competitive program committed to developing top student-athletes who excel on the platform and in the classroom. Under the leadership of Head Coach Kevin Doherty, the Oaks have produced numerous All-Americans and National Champions while building a tight-knit, driven team culture.