Powerlifting will be starting up their season on Friday, February 14 and there is much hype for this season to begin. Coach Nathan Janway is our coach for the high school and junior high. When asked if he is ready for this season he states “ I am always excited for the season. I enjoy the time with the kids. I also love to compete. We have a great chance to have several High School lifters qualify for the state meet this year. If they keep working hard.” There are several meets for junior high and high school and they are hoping to be able to attend all with weather permitting and then right around the corner is the regional meet. With 15 junior high and 15 high school lifters, this season is off to a great start.
Junior Darren Sanders has lifted since the 7th grade and has progressed so much from there he states that “when I started all I thought it was just lifting, but it was more about form. Once I got the form down I started progressing more and more.” His best lift is both the dead and his max which is 445lbs. One lift he would like to improve would be his bench. When asked if he was excited about this season he states “every year the competition is hard and that is why I am always excited when the Powerlifting season comes around.” He also plays many other sports when asked how powerlifting helped in other sports he says, “I play football, baseball, and track. Powerlifting helps with every sport. My explosion in football, my jumps in track, and my swings in baseball. I’m very grateful for the powerlifting program.” There are many other lifters that can inspire you to do better Darren says that “There was a kid at state in my weight class who blew me out of the water. I hope to one day be as strong as him and lift with the great form he was exhibiting.” He also states. “I really started powerlifting because of football, but now if I didn't play football, my love, for powerlifting would still be there and I would still compete.”
One memorable moment for his powerlifting career he states “My most memorable experience was probably last year. Last year I qualified for state but there were some setbacks that wouldn't allow me to compete. After much struggle with the school, my grandma was finally allowed to bring me.”