Memo to MasterCard:
~Winning a powerlifting state championship requires lifting thousands of pounds.
~Winning it in the third year of a school’s program requires hours of dedication each week.
~Beating your rival to do it. Now that’s priceless.
The Lake Orion varsity powerlifting squad did just that on March 15, when they edged out Clarkston to win the state championship at Montrose High School.
‘They’ve been a target for us,? Coach Jason Larsen said. ‘Last year we chased them, and this year we got over the top.?
Larsen said there were some tense moments at the end of the competition.
‘Even up to the final results, we didn’t know if we had won or not,? he said. ‘And I don’t think they knew either. It was that close.?
Powerlifting is sponsored by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.
In a competition, each athlete has three lifts in each of the three categories: squat, bench and deadlift. The best lift in each category adds up to a competitor’s overall score and the top 10 competitors add up to the team’s overall score.
‘The lifts are all judged by three judges,? Larsen said. ‘So you have to have perfect form for it to count.?
The team won the Vassar regional on their way to the state championship. At states, they had 13 lifters earn All-State honors.
Among those earning All-State honors was Jake Montalvo, who won the state title at 165 pounds.
Others included Paul Udocon (third at 132 pounds), Matt Turner (fourth at 123), Brant Parker (fifth at 155), Adam Sally (fifth at 220), Devin Cudenhofski (fifth at 242), Doug Mack (sixth at 123), James Miller (sixth at 181), Jake Pratt (seventh at 123), Jake Ludwig (eighth at 207), Chris Szydar (ninth at 194), Dom Saigh (ninth at 220) and AJ Gill (10th at 207).
Kayne Hayes also broke the JV state record in the bench press competition.
To become a state champion in such a short amount of time is something Larsen and fellow coaches John Blackstock, Eric Jennings and Mike Heath, along with the entire squad, take great pride in.
‘It was something to give the guys a chance to compete and focus on in the off-season,? Larsen said. ‘It started with six guys and now we’ll get over 40 guys going to each meet.?
‘The kids are so dedicated,? he added. ‘We average over 70 kids a morning, four times a week, at 6 a.m.?
The coach added that the parent support has also been outstanding.