OAKLAND – Seven different Oaks took home medals and four newcomers qualified for the WSO Championship in the first test of the 2026-27 campaign at the Resilient Strength Open in Oakland on September 13. Each of the four first-time lifters that competed for the Oaks finished a perfect 6-for-6 while taking home first place in their respective weight categories.

Freshman Damon Underwood Jr. from Macon, GA, finished with a meet-high 111kg Snatch while finishing second amongst the Oaks with a 140kg Clean and Jerk, setting the Oaks' best total of the day at 251kg.

JT Martinez III, a senior from San Jose competing in his first meet as an Oak, notched a 44kg Snatch and 66kg Clean and Jerk, finishing at 110kg total. Martinez III finished in first place in the 60kg division.

Another freshman, Mark Guerra, shined in the Clean and Jerk, finishing at 98kg while adding 56kg on the Snatch for 154kg total. He took home first place in the 110kg B Session.

Rounding out the newcomers, freshman Max Smith from Kaleheo, HI, set his PR on the Snatch with 46kg while adding 61kg on the Clean and Jerk for a 107kg total. His performance was tops amongst lifters in the 95kg division.

Menlo's returning members shined as well, none brighter than sophomore Osvaldo Garcia Mendoza. The local product from Redwood City set personal competition-bests in the Snatch at 91kg and Clean and Jerk at 117kg, finishing 6-of-6 for a 208kg total while taking first place in the 75kg division.

Jeshua Ambrosio started his senior season with a bang competing in the 110kg division. He finished second among the Oaks overall with a 250kg total including a 106kg Snatch and a competition-best 144 Clean and Jerk. 

The only junior to compete for the Oaks, Kira Barad paced the 86kg+ division. Barad went 5-for-6 with a 64kg Snatch and 83kg Clean and Jerk for 147kg overall.

Rounding out the competitors, senior Orion Rios went 4-of-6 with a 97kg on the Snatch and 125kg Clean and Jerk for 224kg overall.

Overall, the Oaks finished 45-of-48 lifts successfully as a team. With their strong individual performances, each of the four first-time lifters at Menlo qualified for the WSO Championship, taking place from December 3 through December 6 in Pleasanton. The Oaks' next lift takes place in Hayward on November 1.