Hard work and discipline paid off as the powerlifting team qualified for state this season. After showing strong at the regional meet, the team proved that dedication in the weight room truly makes a difference on the platform.
“The team’s biggest strength is the overall work ethic, it’s incredible how the kids step up to the plate when they are asked to do so much to get stronger, and the result shows,” Coach Lisenbea said. “The biggest challenge the team has overcome this season has been figuring out how to get better at powerlifting while doing other sports at the same time. A lot of the multisport athletes are some of the better powerlifters and it’s definitely a challenge trying to figure out how to keep the balance. It’s really exciting for the kids for them to get the opportunity to compete. It’s an honor and I’m happy to be part of their journey,” Lisenbea said.
Sophomore Kensley Gilliam made a major statement this season by winning regionals and earning a spot at state.
“Winning regional as first place because that gives me the opportunity to go to state as a sophomore, it feels really good since isn’t easy to get that opportunity as a sophomore so I’m really proud of myself. My personal goal is to make a thousand total,” Gilliam said.
This state meet means a lot to the upperclassmen, since they’ve been working hard for four years to show how capable they are.
“This meet means a lot to me as a senior. I have to make it count and get a total that would stick in the school record and make my coach proud of me. I’m proud I got above the 350 bench since I was looking forward to that. I’m also proud I made it to state since last year I only made it to regional and it wasn’t really enough for me because I wanted to get the full experience. My personal goal for state is bench 420, squat 475 and deadlift 550,” senior Drake Steffek said.
Despite the pressure of being in state, the seniors are focused and proud of how far they have come, having this state meet carried extra meaning.
“This final meet means to me a lifetime of hard work and I’m so proud of myself for making it so far, making it to state and being able to compete at this level because I have worked so hard these past four years, it feels great. My personal goal for state is to get a new PR in my lifts and get a new total,” senior Taylor Lamson said.
After a season of dedication in the weight room, ready to prove that their hard work has paid off, the lifters are taking the next step to compete at the state meet.
