The powerlifting team competed at Basehor-Linwood High School Saturday, Jan. 27 placing eighth overall. Senior Waylon Schenk placed first in the 220 weight class and junior Zach Zaldivar placed third overall in the 198 weight class.
Zaldivar expressed he was able to do so well by being able to keep his cool and trust his preparation.
“I was trying to keep my cool because I had some issues with the bench press during the week [but] then I figured it out,” Zaldivar said.
This was the team’s second meet for which the team has been working hard during practices, according to head coach Drew Sachen.
“We work on a lot of technique and a lot of form and every once in a while we’re trying to push heavy weight so that kids cannot have confidence going into the next meet,” Sachen said.
Although it was her first meet, sophomore Mackenzie Clifton finds that powerlifting is a gratifying experience.
“I feel that I could have done better, especially with my strength and endurance, but for my first meet I’m pretty satisfied,” Clifton said.
For his first year coaching powerlifting, Sachen is looking forward to seeing improvement in his athletes.
“A lot of kids set new personal records and that’s all I am really looking for,” Sachen said. “I would love for kids to bring home medals and state trophies, but that’s not my thought of what powerlifting is. It’s about making yourself better [and] proving yourself over the course of the season.”
Clifton’s favorite thing about the team is the supportive environment everyone creates.
“I think that the environment is really good and I think that everyone is really good about encouraging and supporting each other.”
Zaldivar echoed Clifton’s statement, saying that the team was just having fun at this meet.
“[We were] just enjoying the meet and having fun. Sometimes not everything goes your way and still, you can still find a way to have fun.”
