“When our team decided to accept the invitation to Nationals, we did so under the guise of competing against ourselves, to see our own personal records improve, and to dedicate ourselves to our training. The only real competition is our own potential,” said Team SkellaFit Powerlifting Coach and state record holder Cristi Johnson. “A beautiful side effect of that consistency and positive attitude resulted in us winning first place in every category we competed in. Every time I think I couldn’t be more proud of this team, they blow my mind.”

SkellaFit Powerlifting won the APF/AAPF Michgan State Team Championship trophy as well as the individual first place awards, back in March. At the time many of the lifts were submitted for state records and the following have been confirmed:

�–� Women’s APF Raw Open 110 Bench Press, Deadlift and Total Points — Laura Lewis of

Lachine;

Courtesy Photo Pictured, from left, are Full Power Winners Tina Robbins and Cristi Johnson.

�–� Women’s APF Raw Submaster 67.5 Bench Press, Deadlift and Total Points — Katie Edgar of Alpena;

�–� Women’s APF Raw Master (45-49) SHW Squat and Deadlift — Cristi Johnson of Alpena;

�–� Women’s AAPF Raw Master (50-54) SHW Squat and Total Points — Tina Robbins of Alpena.

At the competition on Thursday, June 12, two of the lifters also qualified for national records,

which will be reviewed and posted in July 2025 on the World Powerlifting Congress Website:

�–� Women’s AAPF Raw Master (50-54) 110 — Tina Robbins of Alpena — Full Power;

�–� Women’s APF Raw Master (55-59) 110+ — Krista Hempel of Hawks — Bench Only;

�–� Women’s APF Raw Master (55-59) 110+ — Krista Hempel of Hawks — Deadlift Only.

“Competing at the National Powerlifting level was an incredible honor, being surrounded by high-caliber athletes.” said SkellaFit Powerlifting teammate and national record holder Krista Hempel. “I couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support and guidance of my two amazing coaches, who believed in me every step of the way.”

Team SkellaFit Powerlifting took home 10 first-place honors at the APF/AAPF National

Championships:

1st Place Women’s APF Raw Open 90 Bench Only — Katie Jones of Alpena;

1st Place Women’s APF Raw Open 90 Deadlift Only — Katie Jones of Alpena;

1st Place Women’s APF Raw Open 110+ Bench Only — Laura Lewis of Lachine;

1st Place Women’s APF Raw Open 110+ Deadlift Only — Laura Lewis of Lachine;

1st Place Women’s APF Raw Master (45-49) 110+ Bench Only — Karen Grochowski of Alpena;

1st Place Women’s APF Raw Master (45-49) 110+ Deadlift Only — Karen Grochowski of Alpena;

1st Place Women’s APF Raw Master (55-59) 110+ Bench Only — Krista Hempel of Hawks;

1st Place Women’s APF Raw Master (55-59) 110+ Deadlift Only — Krista Hempel of Hawks;

1st Place Women’s AAPF Raw Master Full Power (50-54) 110 — Tina Robbins of Alpena;

1st Place Women’s AAPF Raw Master (45-49) 110 Full Power — Cristi Johnson of Alpena.

“It’s always the most amazing feeling to be at events like this with our team. We all work hard and have fun in the gym together and the only thing that changes on meet day is how pumped we get for each other,” said SkellaFit Powerlifting teammate and APF National Champion Katie Jones. “We can all do hard things; it makes it even more worthwhile when you have a team of strong people supporting your wins and even your losses, all the nitty gritty.”

Skellafit Powerlifting will compete next in the UPF’s RPG Fall Classic which will showcase many of the team’s newest lifters. The competition will take place in Rochester, Michigan.