West Coast Wreckage Recap – April 6, 2025
By AJ Roberts, APO California State Director
This year’s West Coast Wreckage meet was something special.
Now in its second year under the American Powerlifting Organization (APO) banner, the meet has quickly evolved from a grassroots gathering into a full-blown showcase of strength and community. Last year, we had 11 lifters. This year? Over 30 showed up to throw down.
And they didn’t just come from down the street.
Lifters made the trip from across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon to test themselves under the lights, and the bar was loaded in every sense of the word.
From lifters stepping onto the platform for the first time, to seasoned competitors adding chapters to their long careers, to athletes suiting up in gear for the very first time, everywhere you looked, you saw someone fighting for more.
Two lifters stood out above the rest with huge totals and undeniable presence on the platform:
Joel Anderson – Multi-Ply / 82.5 kg Class
Representing Relentless Barbell, Joel totaled 850.0 kg with a 330.0 kg squat, 210.0 kg bench, and a 310.0 kg deadlift. His final pull was a shot at an All-Time World Record, and he had it in his hands. He stood it all the way up, but just lost his balance at the top as he locked it out. That lift was as close as you can get, and everyone in the room felt it.
Austin Mennen – Classic Raw / 125.0 kg Class
Lifting out of Backalley Barbell, Austin put together an 802.5 kg total, built on a 300.0 kg squat, 202.5 kg bench, and 300.0 kg deadlift. Clean, consistent, and brutally strong, Austin made his case early and never let up.
While our best lifters delivered dominant totals, a couple of serious bench specialists made their mark.
David Pat of Westside Militia laid down a 242.5 kg bench in the 125 kg Multi-Ply class — the heaviest press of the day.
Right behind him, Christopher Robinson locked out a 237.5 kg bench in the 100 kg Multi-Ply class. Both lifts were textbook and left the crowd buzzing.
And on the deadlift side, another lifter out of Backalley Barbell, Jordan McAfee (Classic Raw, 140 kg class) matched the day’s top pull with a 320.0 kg deadlift, bringing the crowd to their feet and putting an exclamation point on his total.
A few other notable performances:
Leana Pavlenko (90 kg Classic Raw, Westside Militia)
Leana moved with power and composure, hitting a 145.0 kg squat, 57.5 kg bench, and 145.0 kg deadlift, putting up one of the top totals among the women.
Cesar Abrego (90 kg Classic Raw, Backalley Barbell)
Cesar delivered a smooth, technical day capped off with a 257.5 kg squat, 152.5 kg bench, and 265.0 kg deadlift. A lifter to watch in upcoming meets.
Joseph Gargiulo (140 kg Multi-Ply, 55 years old)
The oldest lifter on the platform, Joseph showed that time under tension builds more than just muscle. He totaled 667.5 kg, including a 320.0 kg squat, and earned the respect of everyone in the room.
Henry Baker (90 kg Raw, 13 years old)
Our youngest lifter, Henry started the day so nervous I swear his knees were knocking. But by the time deadlifts came around, the kid was hyping up the crowd and owning the moment. He finished with a 295.0 kg total, and more importantly, walked away transformed. Watching him grow in confidence over the course of the meet brought me back to when I first got bit by the iron bug. That fire? He’s got it now.
And while he competed as a guest lifter, former WPO lifter, Oan Basson delivered a jaw-dropping performance that deserves recognition. Stepping onto the platform in the 140 kg class, he hit: 410.0 kg squat, 320.0 kg bench. 320.0 kg deadlift Every one of them was the heaviest of the day.
Final Thoughts…
If you were there, you felt it. The camaraderie. The energy. The pride. The way everyone, no matter their age, category, or background, lifted each other up as much as they lifted the weights. And if you weren’t there… I have a feeling you’ll be hearing about it.
Something is building out here on the West Coast. And if this meet was any indication, it’s only getting stronger.
