APO Battle on the Bay IV Recap

Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 | Grinder Gym – San Diego, California

The iron was heavy, the crowd was loud, and the atmosphere inside Grinder Gym captured everything that makes this sport special. 

Battle on the Bay IV brought together lifters from across California, Nevada, and beyond — raw, single-ply, and multi-ply. from teens to masters, all chasing progress under the bar.

Opening the Day

The meet kicked off with precision and power as lifters took to the platform to set the tone.
Alexander Mederos, lifting in the Men’s Tested Single Ply Junior (82.5 kg) class, moved like a veteran. He squatted 272.5 kg, benched 192.5 kg, and pulled 272.5 kg for a 737.5 kg total and a clean 1st place. His composure under the bar set the pace for what was coming.

Jose Rizo, in the Men’s Tested Classic Raw Open (125 kg), showed true grit through each attempt, hitting a 282.5 kg squat, 182.5 kg bench, and 250 kg deadlift to total 715 kg, claiming 1st place and drawing loud cheers from the Grinder crowd.

Cruz Sigala, stepping up in the Men’s Tested Classic Raw Open (110 kg), strung together a flawless day — 185 kg squat, 137.5 kg bench, 227.5 kg deadlift — for a 550 kg total and 1st place.

Dirk Buchanan stepped on the platform for the first time and proved that age is only a number, winning both the Men’s Classic Raw Open and Master (50–54) (90 kg) classes with a 157.5 kg squat, 95 kg bench, and 182.5 kg deadlift for a 435 kg total, then returning for Deadlift Only to pull 182.5 kg and secure two more first-place finishes.

Jacalynn Versoza, calm and focused in the Women’s Tested Raw Master (45–49) Deadlift Only (75 kg) division, nailed her 107.5 kg pull to take her class title.

Hillside Crew

Hillside Crew came ready. Ashlee Vuong led the charge in the Women’s Tested Classic Raw Open (67.5 kg), showing poise with a 122.5 kg squat, 35 kg bench, and 135 kg deadlift for a 292.5 kg total and 1st place.

Her teammate Amani Abu-Hashim followed with controlled aggression in the Women’s Classic Raw Open (110 kg), grinding through a 162.5 kg squat, 77.5 kg bench, and 147.5 kg deadlift for a 387.5 kg total and 1st place.

Derek Baker was all business in the Men’s Classic Raw Open and Master (40–44) (100 kg), going 185 kg squat, 150 kg bench, and 250 kg deadlift for a 585 kg total, sweeping both divisions.

Meanwhile, Henry Baker, just 15 years old, competed with composure well beyond his years in the Men’s Raw Teen (13–15) (100 kg) class. He hit a 102.5 kg squat, 72.5 kg bench, and 147.5 kg deadlift for a 322.5 kg total and 1st place, earning every bit of applause.

Andres Aragon rounded out the team in the Men’s Tested Single Ply Open Push/Pull (90 kg), benching 165 kg and deadlifting 222.5 kg for a 387.5 kg total and 1st place.

From teens to masters, Hillside Crew showed up in force, bringing team unity and tenacity that defined their day.

LexBuilt

Representing LexBuilt, Megan King took the stage in the Women’s Classic Raw Open (90 kg) division. Though the day wasn’t without challenges, she dug deep, pulling a 125 kg deadlift to take 1st place in the Deadlift Only category and showing she’s just getting started.

Relentless Barbell

Jeri Dines-Cook of Relentless Barbell has become synonymous with strength. Competing raw in the Women’s Tested Raw Open Bench Only (140 kg), she pressed 125 kg to win her class and set a new APO National Record, surpassing the mark she set weeks earlier at Bench Wars at the Mr. Olympia. Her performance earned a standing ovation and cemented her status as one of the best benchers in the country.

Westside Militia

Westside Militia brought numbers, records, and presence, leaving with hardware to match.

Gabriela Plazola, lifting in the Women’s Classic Raw Open (100 kg), went 115 kg squat, 47.5 kg bench, and 137.5 kg deadlift for a 300 kg total and 1st place.

Nancy Alba, fresh off her Bench Wars appearance, tore through the Women’s Multi-Ply Sub-Master (33–39) (90 kg) division with a 205 kg squat, 127.5 kg bench, and 175 kg deadlift for a 507.5 kg total, securing 1st place and momentum for the season ahead.

David Pat was all business in the Men’s Tested Multi-Ply Master (40–44) (125 kg) class, posting a 275 kg squat, 275 kg bench, and 240 kg deadlift for a 790 kg total and 1st place.

Joel Anderson increased his best total in the Men’s Multi-Ply Open and Sub-Master (33–39) (82.5 kg) divisions with a 352.5 kg squat, 205 kg bench, and 300 kg deadlift for a 857.5 kg total, taking 1st place in both and earning the meet’s Equipped Best Lifter award.

James McShane, in the Men’s Multi-Ply Open (110 kg), showed veteran control with a 340 kg squat, 227.5 kg bench, and 252.5 kg deadlift to total 820 kg for 1st place.

Andres Cuadros added another title for the team in the Men’s Multi-Ply Open Bench Only (100 kg) with a 175 kg press, while Matthew Gonzalez Juarez, lifting in the Men’s Single Ply Sub-Master (33–39) (110 kg) class, hit 272.5 kg squat, 165 kg bench, and 230 kg deadlift for a 667.5 kg total and 1st place.

Every lifter delivered and the Militia left San Diego heavier than they came.

Back Alley Barbell – Las Vegas

The Las Vegas crew made the trip south and took over the platform.

Jordan McAfee, lifting in the Men’s Classic Raw Open (125 kg), had the crowd on its feet with a 307.5 kg squat, 157.5 kg bench, and 330 kg deadlift, totaling 795 kg to take 1st place and the meet’s Raw Best Lifter award.

Benjamin Tucay, in the Men’s Tested Raw Junior (20–23) (90 kg), showed textbook form through his 200 kg squat, 125 kg bench, and 245 kg deadlift, finishing with a 570 kg total and 1st place.

Closing Thoughts

Battle on the Bay IV was a showcase of strength and spirit. A true display of what the APO stands for. Records were broken and the bar was raised for what comes next.

Congratulations to Joel Anderson of Westside Militia for earning Equipped Best Lifter, and Jordan McAfee of Back Alley Barbell for taking home Raw Best Lifter.

 Every athlete who stepped on that platform added a chapter to the story of this sport.

A massive thank-you to Grinder Gym for hosting, to the judges, spotters, loaders, and volunteers for their work behind the scenes, and to every lifter for bringing their best.

See you next year for Battle on the Bay V… bigger, stronger, and heavier.

AJ Roberts
APO Mountain Regional Director