On July 20, teen strongmen and strongwomen from 15 states and three countries met in Sacramento, CA at the Evo Sports Expo. 27 athletes participated in this year’s America’s Strongest Teen competition (Strongman Corporation’s teen nationals). The winner in each of six divisions was determined by five demanding events: the axle clean and press ladder, the max frame deadlift, the sandbag carry and load, the max distance yoke (for a full 90 seconds), and the natural stone to shoulder for reps. 

This was the competition’s third year in California. In 2022, former West Coast Regional director Big Tommy Burns brought the competition to NorCal, and branded it “America’s Strongest Teen.” The 2024 AST was made possible by primary sponsors Cerberus Strength USA, HarrisonMade Strength (David Harrison), and PullN4You (Jayson Wigney). Directed by Nick Biebel with a team of volunteers from the local California strongman scene, the competition also gave $1000 in cash prizes to athletes at least 15 years old. A big thank you to pro strongman (and former teen champion) Andrew Clayton, who donated his winnings from the Rainier Classic, and the Latu family (organized by Kat Latu). Thank you as well to the Evo Sports Expo for hosting.

Athletes ranged in age from 11 to 19, with a few international athletes who made the trip: William Lowe from Australia, and Rohan Batty and Keagan Mallet from Canada. These athletes cited a lack of similar high-level competition for teens in their countries. Athletes qualified by local Strongman Corporation Competition or online qualifier.

In the 11-14yr women’s division, Azaria Horton won the first two events, deadlifting an incredible 380lb on the frame at just 12 years old. But 13 year old Hallie Villareal came back with a very fast sandbag carry and load, eventually forcing a tie-breaker. The last-woman-standing sandbag over bar was a thriller, and local Sacramento athlete Azaria came out on top. At only 11 years old, third place Annabelle Lynn very much held her own, putting up two reps on the 80lb axle and hitting two reps on the awkward 80lb stone to shoulder. 

In the 15-17 year women’s division, 17 year old Cheyenne Ruiz from Utah turned in a dominant performance, including a 400lb frame deadlift and an easy-looking six reps on the 120lb stone to shoulder. 15 year old Sophia Frias, a returning athlete from Ohio, gutted out 200ft on her max distance yoke and fought hard all day.

In the 12-14yr men’s division, the Australian William Lowe won or tied for first in all five events. The 14 year old easily put up the 120lb axle three times, and finished with a strong six reps on a very awkward 120lb stone to shoulder as he took the title home to Australia. Behind him, Emett Flinsch from Minnesota and local athlete Paxton Kettler went back and forth all day, with Emmett taking second by half a point. Sylar Storey from Florida rounded out the group, putting in an inspiring performance despite injury. 

The 15-17yr men’s division featured a heavyweight battle. New Mexico’s Gabriel Mulkey secured the win when he won the last two events, and was the only athlete to get two reps on the 245lb stone to shoulder. North Carolina’s Logan Perdue won the axle clean and press ladder en route to second place, and returning California athlete Nathan Hurst took the final podium spot. This group featured the notable performance of Bubba Pritchett, who at the age of 13 chose to compete with the bigger and older athletes. He even finished second in the sandbag carry and load, just 0.26 seconds off the lead. Connor Gilbertson from Pennsylvania also fought hard, ending the day on a high note with his 245lb stone to shoulder. 

In the 18-19yr, 200lb men’s division, Florida’s Thomas Bjorvig cleanly won all five events to lay unambiguous claim to the title, deadlifting 740lb on the frame along  the way. A consistent performance from Arizona’s Hunter Gwynn earned him second place, and returning athlete Patrick Levia of Delaware took home third. Local and returning athlete August Spies fought till the end, taking fourth place.

The 18-19yr heavyweight division featured a much anticipated showdown between “The Texas Thunder” Cole Bolton, USS teen champion Landon Whitt, and teen log record-holder (at 373lb!) Christian Suggs. The battle did not disappoint. In third place after the first event, Cole Roberts won three of the next four to take the title, putting up an impressive five reps on the 260lb natural stone to seal the win. Landon Whitt’s consistent performance won him second place,  and Christian Suggs won the axle clean and press en route to third. Canada’s Rohan Batty kept in touch with the leaders, deadlifting 900lb on the frame and taking fourth place. Wisconsin’s Chris Lavasseur pushed hard to the end, setting a PR with his 260lb stone to shoulder and finishing fifth. Lepiro Kantai from Nebraska, Keagan Mallet from Canada, and Juan Hernandez from Colorado gave it their all and withdrew due to injury before the last event.

Full scores can be found at StrengthResults.com. A recording of the live stream can be found on  Youtube. To see highlights, support AST, and find information on next year’s competition, follow @americasstrongestteen on Instagram.

Thank you again to primary financial sponsors Cerberus Strength USA, HarrisonMade Strength, and PullN4You. Thank you to all of our sponsors: Untamed Strength, Thunder Fitness Bay Area, NorCal Physio, West Coast Arm Sports, and Heart and Soul Strong. Please support these businesses who support teen strongman and strongwoman! Thank you again to Andrew Clayton and the Latu Family for the $1000 cash prize pot.