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FREMONT, Neb. — Recent Elkton-Lake Benton graduate Logan Miller will continue competitive powerlifting on the collegiate level.
Miller has signed with national powerhouse Midland University based in Nebraska, a program that competes with the likes of LSU and Texas A&M University in the sport.
“I’m pretty excited,” said Miller, a resident of Lake Benton. “This lets me know I am good enough to compete at the next level.”
Midland provided Miller with some scholarship money. Logan said he’s undeclared on his college major; however, he’s leaning toward exercise science.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Logan Miller (front) prepares to compete in the bench press at the South Dakota High School Powerlifting Association Class A state meet in Baltic,S.D., last winter. Miller, from Lake Benton, has signed to continue in his sport at Midland University (Neb.). (Star file photo)
The school is a private university affiliated with the Lutheran church located northwest of Omaha.
“I am extremely happy to see Logan continue chasing his passion for powerlifting,” said ELB head coach Kaleb Haas. “Getting a chance to compete in a sport he loves at the collegiate level is a special opportunity. I can’t wait to see the success that he will have.”
Tim Anderson has been Midland’s head coach since its inception in 2016, and piloted the Warriors to 15 national team titles and produced 72 individual national champions.
Anderson, in a story posted on the Elite FTS (Focus, Trust, Strength) website, reported Midland competes in four divisions: men’s and women’s raw and men’s and women’s equipped. The Warriors won all four of them at nationals this past year.
“We look at several characteristics when we are recruiting athletes,” said Anderson, a world-class powerlifter in his own right. “First, we look at accomplishments on the platform, and evaluate their potential. They must have a passion for the sport, not just lifting weights. They must accept input from coaches, and apply it to training.”
Miller was named “Best Male Lifter” at the South Dakota High School Powerlifting Association Class A meet in Baltic on March 1.
Logan Miller was named the South Dakota High School Powerlifting Association Class A best male lifter at state on March 1. (Star file photo)
In powerlifting, the total weight lifted — plus coefficient — in three disciplines determines your score and eventual placement. The disciplines are the bench press, dead lift and squat.
At that state meet, Miller’s three-lift total was 1,575 pounds (with a body weight of 197.1 pounds), including a new state record in the squat (600). He’s a five-time state recordholder.
On April 10 in Wisconsin, Miller placed second in the 93-kilogram class (205 pounds), lifting more massive totals.
Miller recorded a squat lift of 606.2 pounds, a new personal best. He also tied his previous mark in the dead lift at 600.7 pounds. His top bench press was 352.7 for a total of 1,559.7 pounds. He nearly benched 374.
During early June, Miller performed in the King of Kilos Raw Open in St. Paul, putting together a total of 1,330.7 pounds from the three lifts.
“The drive and dedication Logan possesses is what makes him a special athlete,” Haas added. “He’s always pushing himself to achieve more, and he holds himself accountable to put in the work required.”
Three Elkton-Lake Benton Class of 2025 graduates signed to continue competing on the collegiate level. (Contributed graphic from the school district)
So, what drew Miller to powerlifting?
“Powerlifting is something I do on my own,” he said. “I’m not part of a team, it’s more of a solo thing, and I’ve always been fascinated by strength.”
Miller reported he was wowed on his campus visit to Midland, with all of the team’s championship banners hanging from rafters in the university gymnasium. The program has turned heads and drawn regional media attention.
These days, Miller trains five times per week at a private gym in Elkton. Three sessions are dedicated to upper body training, and two more for lower body.
The college powerlifting season typically begins in October, with meets all the way through the spring. Miller said he will report to Midland on Thursday, Aug. 21.
Miller was one of three Elks to sign for college athletics during the 2024-25 academic calendar — joining Andrea Renkly (volleyball, Mount Marty, Yankton, S.D.) and Keira Larson (cheerleading, Augustana, Sioux Falls, S.D.).