2026 Summer Slam - August

Iron, Grit, and Community: Celebrating the 2026 Powerlifting America Summer Slam

On Saturday, August 29th, 2026, the energy inside the historic walls of Brown’s Gym in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, was electric. Hosting the 2026 Powerlifting America Summer Slam Championships, the venue delivered a premier, fast-paced platform experience that brought out the absolute best in lifters spanning Sub-Juniors to Masters 4. While the heavy squats, crisp bench presses, and grind-it-out deadlifts took center stage, the true heartbeat of the day belonged to the dedicated crew working tirelessly behind the scenes and the athletes who laid it all on the line.

Honoring Our Best Lifters

A massive congratulations goes out to the standout performers of the day, who took home the meet's highest individual honors:

• Leah Cruciani (Square 1 Fitness) – Best Female Lifter: Dominating the Masters 2 division in the 69 kg class, Leah put together an outstanding 9-for-9 day. She built an impressive 380 kg total with a 140 kg squat, a 75 kg bench press, and a massive 165 kg deadlift to claim the top female honor.

• Pasquale DeSavino (Square 1 Fitness) – Best Male Lifter: Bringing commanding execution to the Men's Open 83 kg class, Pasquale turned in a phenomenal 717.5 kg total. He anchored his performance with a smooth 255 kg squat, a 150 kg bench press, and an electric 312.5 kg pull on his final attempt to earn the meet's top male award.

Platform Highlights and Standout Showings

From seasoned veterans to rising youth talent, the platform saw relentless grit across every session:

• Masters Excellence: Kenneth Levine (Hammer Forged Strength, M4) showcased ageless strength in the 83 kg class, locking out a huge 135 kg bench press and a 467.5 kg total. G. Michael Shirey (Garage Ink, M3) hit a strong 532.5 kg total in the 105s, while Edward Goralewski (M3) posted a solid 372.5 kg total. Ryan Donnelly (Hammer Forged Strength, M-M1) put on a heavyweight clinic in the 120 kg class, pressing 255 kg on bench and finishing with a massive 790 kg total.

• The Next Generation: The Sub-Junior division was packed with deep talent. The Jim Thorpe Olympians brought a formidable team presence, highlighted by strong multi-attempt battles from Demetri Llewellyn (400 kg total), Donovan Llewellyn, Wyatt McAnulty, and Noah Orefice. Anthony Hu (Hammer Forged Strength) posted an impressive 485 kg total with a 235 kg pull at 66 kg, while Anthony Cotillo turned heads in the 74 kg class by squatting 202.5 kg and pulling 212.5 kg for a 542.5 kg total.

• Push-Pull and Single-Lift Fireworks: Mark Szot (Open 83 kg) battled through an intense deadlift clash, locking out a smooth 265 kg, while Dennis Hulslander (Garage Ink) captured the 120+ kg M2 push-pull crown with a 122.5 kg bench and 250 kg pull. Taylor Boyle (57 kg Open) turned in a clean 320 kg total, capped with a fast 142.5 kg final deadlift.

A Standing Ovation for the Platform Crew and Staff

A powerlifting meet is only as good as the team running it, and the staff at this year’s Summer Slam set the gold standard:

• The Spotters and Loaders: Often the unsung heroes of meet day, these individuals shouldered hundreds of heavy plate changes without missing a beat. Their vigilance kept lifters safe under maximal loads, and their relentless pace kept every flight moving seamlessly.

• The Referees and Technical Officials: Impartial, sharp-eyed, and professional, the officials maintained the strict standards of Powerlifting America while offering encouraging, clear direction from start to finish.

• The Table Crew and Meet Administration: From early morning equipment checks and weigh-ins to managing attempts on the board, running the stream, and scoring awards, the administration ran with surgical precision.

The Brown’s Gym Atmosphere

Known far and wide as a gym "where champions train," Brown’s Gym provided the ultimate battleground. The roar of the warm-up room, the clanking of calibrated plates, and the chalk-filled air fueled personal records and unforgettable battles across every flight.

To every competitor who stepped on the platform, every coach who handled attempts in the back, and every spectator who lost their voice cheering: thank you for making the 2026 Summer Slam an incredible success. The strength community is built on shared respect and mutual support, and this meet proved once again how powerful that bond truly is.

Pennsylvania Event Results