This year powerlifting has stayed the exact same size. Last year we had 64 lifters, but lost 13 seniors. This year there were 17 freshman and 47 Lifters from other grades, or 64 lifters again this year, which makes it a little hectic. We’re lucky enough to be able to use the commons instead of a hallway. We have two different lifting programs, one based on Texas A&M’s program and the other based on the Greyskull Linear Progression.

For those who don’t know about powerlifting at all or just know a little, it’s where individuals do 3 different lifts: squat, bench, and deadlift, respectively. We do three of each lift, competing in multiple different weight categories, and compete against other people of the same gender that are in that specific weight category. There are 10 different weight categories for women and 11 for men.To qualify for state, you have to reach a certain amount with the best lift from each set, combined. They take the best lift that you completed in each lift and add them together to get your total. For example, if you’re in the 165 weight category for women, which is one of the most competitive, you need to lift a total of 680 pounds for equipped (which is with a z-suit and knee wraps) or 580 for raw (which is with a wrestling singlet and knee sleeves). In the 165 equipped category for men, you need to lift 1,050 pounds equipped or 895 pounds raw.

With equipped squat, you have to wear a z-suit. A z-suit barely even lets you move and is very difficult to get on, and off. It’s incredibly useful for getting back up when doing squat and deadlift. The knee wraps are long bands that are wrapped very tightly around your knees. The wrapping has to be done right or else it can be very painful to the person wearing the wraps. If you’re competing raw, you have a wrestling singlet on. It’s basically like spandex and it’s way easier to get on -and off- but it doesn’t help as much with getting back up. You also have knee sleeves, which go over your knees as one large piece of fabric. For me personally, I like the knee sleeves because it keeps my knees warm and I feel safer with something around my knees. So, the main difference between raw and equipped is; raw is what you can do and equipped is what you can do with the assistance of gear.

At River Falls, which is where Elk Mound first competes, both male and female teams got first out of our Region; which includes River Falls, Colfax, Osceola, Bloomer, New Richmond, Phillips, and surrounding communities with smaller teams. Elk Mound had 21 people qualify for state and many set new school records.

Elk Mound has the chance to win a State Team award this year, as the boys did last year. On February 10th the team hosts a Regional Meet at the High School, starting at 9 am. You should come out and support the team - I promise the adrenaline from even watching, is addicting.