When the Penn State powerlifting club disbanded in the early 1990s, most of its eight members were graduating seniors.

Since club President Dan Continenza and Vice President Nick Mercurio brought the club back this fall, it has grown to 35 members -- and includes women.

"We are trying to make it last this time, to build a tradition," Continenza said.

The club, which is now actively recruiting women, hopes to compete in the intercollegiate state qualifying competition this December in King of Prussia, and eventually in the national competition, held in Texas in April.

"The goal for nationals is to place in the top three as a team and to place five individuals in the top 10," Mercurio said.

With current membership, female lifters can only compete individually because the minimum requirement for a team in the national competition is eight lifters and Penn State's team only has three women.

Kelly Dormer (freshman-political science) pre-qualified in May for the national competition. She was the first girl in her high school's history on the powerlifting team and starting college this year was no different.

"I e-mailed the athletic department before coming to Penn State about lifting with a team, but they did not know if there was one," she said. "But then Dan and Nick found me in the White Building one day."

Dormer said Mercurio and Continenza quickly became her family but even with their support, being a woman in a largely male sport is difficult.

"It is awkward at times because most girls think of this manly brutish sport and are afraid of getting too big," she said. "But you don't get bigger if you do it the right way and it is rewarding to compete and win."

Mercurio said the team is trying to recruit more women.

"They are easier to train because they don't talk back and they are always surprised by how much they can do," he said.

Mercurio broke the collegiate national record for the squat event last year. He and Continenza competed as individuals last year becaus the powerlifting club was not official and operational.

Mercurio said the club is also for anyone interested in trying the sport and serious about lifting.

"It's not something you can get into by yourself," he said. "The sport is more fun and safer with people around you."

The club practices for three hours, four days a week. Continenza said the team practices in the East Halls area locker room gym because its former home, the East Halls gym, was closed off to become a study lounge. "We are lifting in the locker room gym, where the hockey and lacrosse teams work out, but we have to do the best with what we have," Dormer said.

He said the team plans to fundraise by selling athletic apparel and selling sportsdrinks and receiving private donations, including corporate sponsors.