ATHERTON, CA – For the first time in program history, the Menlo College Weightlifting team hosted the USA Weightlifting National Spring Qualifier inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion, partnering with Hassle Free Barbell to stage the largest meet in program history. The event welcomed more than 150 athletes and featured a senior ceremony honoring the program's largest graduating class to date. 

The meet concluded with a high-energy Menlo session that captivated the home crowd and showcased the continued rise of the Oaks weightlifting program. Head Coach Kevin Doherty praised both the athletes and the trajectory of the program following the historic day. "This was a landmark moment for Menlo Weightlifting. To host our biggest competition yet, recognize our largest senior class, and see our athletes perform at such a high level in front of our home crowd speaks volumes about how far this program has come."

 

Men's Session

Ryan Padron - 262 kg total

Ryan Padron delivered a standout performance on senior night, going a perfect 6-for-6 and totaling 262 kg. The Kihei, Hawaii native hit snatches of 106, 109, and 112 kg before electrifying the crowd with clean and jerks at 142, 146, and 150 kg. Padron concludes one of the most decorated careers in recent Menlo history and will make one final appearance at University Nationals before graduating with a degree in Accounting.

Jeshua "Peanut" Ambrosio - 246 kg total

Jeshua Ambrosio also went 6-for-6, totaling 246 kg with successful snatches at 100, 103, and 106 kg and clean and jerks at 132, 136, and 140 kg. The performance positions him well as he prepares to peak for University Nationals in Salt Lake City this April.

James Woodley - 244 kg total

James Woodley continued his championship form with a flawless outing and a 244 kg total. The Danville native hit snatches of 103, 106, and 109 kg before smoothly completing clean and jerks at 128, 132, and 135 kg. A three-time University Nationals medalist and 2025 national champion, Woodley will close his collegiate career on the national stage before graduating with a degree in Sports Management.

Fonz Ortega - 221 kg total

Fonz Ortega posted a perfect 6-for-6 performance and totaled 221 kg, making his snatches at 100, 103, and 106 kg before finishing strong with clean and jerks at 128, 132, and 135 kg. The Millbrae native has been one of the program's most reliable contributors since joining in 2022 and will wrap up his collegiate career at University Nationals before graduating with a degree in Finance.

Orion Rios - 195 kg total

Orion Rios totaled 195 kg with a flawless day on the platform. The junior successfully completed snatches at 94, 97, and 100 kg and followed with clean and jerks at 115, 118, and 121 kg, continuing his steady development within the Oaks program.

Osvaldo Garcia Mendoza - 195 kg total

Osvaldo Garcia Mendoza matched Rios with a 195 kg total, going 6-for-6 in front of a large group of family and friends. He completed snatches at 84, 86, and 88 kg and clean and jerks at 100, 105, and 107 kg, marking another strong showing in his second season with the team.

Logan Basilius - 194 kg total

Logan Basilius totaled 194 kg in his first season with Menlo, hitting all six attempts with snatches at 82, 84, and 86 kg and clean and jerks at 102, 105, and 108 kg. His performance secured qualification to University Nationals for the first time in his career.

Elijah Carrasco - 188 kg total

Elijah Carrasco recorded a 188 kg total in his first collegiate weightlifting meet for Menlo. After making all three snatches at 84, 86, and 88 kg, he rebounded from a missed attempt in the clean and jerk to finish strong with a successful 100 kg lift, highlighting his progress since transitioning from the Menlo cheer program.

Owen Yama - 215 kg total

Owen Yama, competing as an open lifter and recent graduate, delivered an honorable mention performance with a 215 kg total. The Mountain View native successfully lifted 91, 93, and 95 kg in the snatch and closed with clean and jerks at 113, 116, and 129 kg, continuing the momentum from his standout senior season.

 

Women's Session

Jade Morales - 168 kg total

Jade Morales led the women's session with a dominant 6-for-6 performance and a 168 kg total in her first appearance at a Menlo-hosted meet. She completed snatches at 68, 70, and 72 kg and clean and jerks at 90, 93, and 96 kg, setting herself up as a strong medal contender heading into University Nationals.

Kira Barad - 161 kg total

Kira Barad followed with a flawless performance and a 161 kg total. The sophomore completed snatches at 63, 66, and 69 kg and clean and jerks at 84, 87, and 92 kg as she prepares for her final sophomore appearance at the national championships.

Sydney Uyeda - 155 kg total

Sydney Uyeda capped her senior night with a perfect 6-for-6 showing and a 155 kg total. The Moanalua, Hawaii native successfully lifted 66, 68, and 70 kg in the snatch and 79, 82, and 85 kg in the clean and jerk. Uyeda, who joined the team as a freshman walk-on, has grown into a top-ten national competitor and will compete one final time before graduating with a degree in Accounting.

Breanna Zide - 132 kg total

Breanna Zide totaled 132 kg in another flawless outing, completing snatches at 55, 58, and 61 kg before adding clean and jerks at 65, 69, and 71 kg. Her continued progress highlights her resilience and dedication throughout her recovery from injury.

Tiphaine Marty - 119 kg total

Tiphaine Marty closed her senior night with a 6-for-6 performance and a 119 kg total, hitting snatches at 49, 51, and 53 kg and clean and jerks at 62, 64, and 66 kg. The Paris native will graduate this spring with a degree in International Business after qualifying for her first University Nationals.

Peyton Hensley - 103 kg total 

Peyton Hensley completed her first season as a walk-on athlete with a perfect day and a 103 kg total. She made snatches at 43, 45, and 47 kg before finishing with personal-record clean and jerks at 55, 57, and 60 kg, marking significant improvement over the course of the year.

 

Looking Ahead

With multiple athletes qualified for USA Weightlifting University Nationals in April, the Oaks will carry the momentum from their historic home qualifier onto the national stage. The meet served not only as the largest competition ever hosted by Menlo Weightlifting, but also as a celebration of the seniors whose leadership helped shape the program's rapid growth and competitive success.