With fall coming to an end, Powerlifting is starting to get rolling. Lifters are excited to get their season started, already preparing for the first meet. Powerlifters joined for various reasons in between seasons of sports. Powerlifters use their strength to excel in other sports, and activities.
“My main goal is to get stronger and compete better for baseball and other sports,” junior Eli Giffin said.
Powerlifting offers a workout experience for students who may not be able to participate in weightlifting, or students who want an extra pump. Students enjoy the atmosphere and the new people they meet.
“With these early morning practices, it’s hard to get up. But, it has been fun meeting new people,” Giffin said.
Participators also have several different goals for this powerlifting season. Whether it’s an underclassman working hard to get stronger to make a varsity spot, or an upperclassman with the goal to improve.
“My goal is at least a 1,250 plus total on squat, bench, and clean, and then winning a state championship and winning lifter in the meet in one meet,” senior Ethan Winton said.
Not only are the boys a strong team, but the girls team is equally as good. Senior Addi Williams has big goals for this powerlifting season.
“Probably to get 250 in back squat, and just to break one, 115 in bench, and then clean to get a plate on each side, and then just to get the girls team better than second. Better than 3rd place at state,” Williams said.
Lifters prepare for these meets in multiple unique ways. To Winton it is important for him to get his head right before he lifts, “I prepare for the meeting by making sure I get good sleep, making sure I’m in the right mindset, eating a lot the day of the meet so I’m energized throughout.”
The powerlifting team got a big bonus this summer, as the new weightroom was introduced. This has let powerlifters get an extra boost with their lifting. The new state of the art weightroom has nearly double the amount of workout stations, and a multitude of new machines and gear to work with.
“Well, when the population of the room jumps from 30 to 64, we need it. Last year, we had about 35 people in the old weight room,” Powerlifting Instructor Scott Russell said. “It felt dangerous, although we did everything in our power to make it safe by training on the hallway.”
