(WNDU) – A group of local girls is making noise in powerlifting, winning national competitions and showing that strength is about more than the bar.
Team GSP coach Scott Pherson said powerlifting differs from other sportsbecause athletes are focused on doing their best, not beating someone else.
“And if your best lands you on stage and gets you a medal, that’s awesome,” Pherson said.
For some of the girls, powerlifting started as a way to help with another sport before becoming something they loved.
Mary Jane Andersen, a freshman Goshen powerlifter, said powerlifting helped her during volleyball.
“When I first started powerlifting during volleyball, I noticed immediately I was jumping higher, I was stronger,” Andersen said. “It also just made me feel better and stronger than my other teammates and gave me more confidence in what I do.”
The lifters said the biggest win is not always what happens on the platform, but what they have built together in the weight room and how they support each other.
Phoenix Pherson, a sixth grade Concord powerlifter, said her teammates are close friends.
“They’re not just my best friends,” Phoenix Pherson said. “They’re like my sisters.”
Gracie Marshall, a junior Concord powerlifter, said the environment is positive and personal.
“Sometimes there’s tears and we just have the moments where we’re all close,” Marshall said. “And I mean, they’re all sisters to me, like Phoenix said.”
For coaches, Scott Pherson said the payoff is seeing the work turn into results and seeing the impact go beyond medals.
“It was awesome to see the rewards, see the smiles,” Pherson said. “The smiles make it everything. Like, they’re happy. And if I can make people happy, that’s really all I ever want to do is make an impact and make people happy.”
Team GSP had three lifters bring home national titles, and many others reached the podium.
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