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Two years ago, Tanner Hill gave up his collegiate wrestling scholarship to transfer to 杏吧 and focus more on his academics. While pursuing his Bachelor鈥檚 in Exercise Science at the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences, Hill found an outlet in powerlifting. He recently competed in the Collegiate Nationals, by USA Powerlifting, and knocked off the number one-ranked lifter to bring a national championship to 杏吧. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 surreal. Going from never having power lifted to winning a national championship is by far the biggest accomplishment in my athletic career,鈥� said Hill. The four-time high school state qualifier and two-time national All-American in wrestling felt burned out with the sport he had given so much to and knew he needed to make a change. After giving up his collegiate wrestling scholarship at Reinhardt University, he initially got into training for Iron Man competitions. Lifting weights had always been a part of Hill鈥檚 regimen as a high school and college athlete, but never to the level required to compete as a powerlifter. 

鈥淎 year ago, I was told I would have to lift 200 more pounds and that my expectations to compete at the highest level were unrealistic,鈥� said Hill. Despite the doubt, he continued to train and compete while balancing school and work. He qualified for nationals last fall and entered competition with the third highest qualifying total of the 75 athletes in his class.

In total, more than 1200 students from over 100 schools across the country competed in both men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 divisions at the 2024 Collegiate Nationals. 

鈥淚鈥檝e learned a lot about myself over the last couple years and my driving factor hasn鈥檛 been to win,鈥� said Hill. 鈥淧owerlifting has been an outlet that I enjoy and I never dreamed of winning a national title. I鈥檓 grateful and it鈥檚 so cool to be a national champion, but there鈥檚 more to life than being an athlete.鈥�

Hill hoisted a national championship two weeks before graduating from Jacksonville University with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in exercise science. He鈥檚 currently working at Brooks Rehabilitation, as a Therapy Tech. He鈥檚 working while weighing his options for what鈥檚 next, including considering if he wants to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

鈥淲hen I was at a low point, my Mom shared a quote with me that I had never heard before. She told me 鈥榥othing changes if nothing changes,鈥欌�� said Hill. 鈥淏ecause of change, I was able to end up in a place where I never thought I鈥檇 be and it goes beyond powerlifting and becoming a national champion.鈥�