GAINESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Powerlifting The GHS powerlifting program wrapped up the most successful season to date, with two State Champion lifters and multiple state medalists on both the boys and girls side.
T
he powerlifting program is led by coaches Kenneth Wilkerson and Justin
if you put in constant effort consistently over time, then good things will happen,”
Bigelow. Both have an extensive personal
Bigelow said. “It’s 100% true that if you
history and passion for lifting.
show up in the weight room you will
“When I came to GHS, the boys
get stronger. They can take it to other
program was in a good place. There
aspects of their life in the classroom or
weren’t a lot of girls, so I focused on
other sports.”
building up the girls program,” Wilkerson
This year there were 13 boys and
said. This year, there were 26 girl lifters
17 girls who qualified for Regionals,
and 29 boy lifters. Another notable
which is a new record for GHS. In fact,
change in the program is that over the
the Leopards had the most boys who
past few years, there have been more
qualified of any school, and the girls
multi-sport athletes. Out of the 55
had the second most of any school in
lifters this year, only three were
the Region. There were not any other
specialized lifters.
schools that had a top 5 finish at state in
“In general, kids expect instant gratification. Powerlifting shows kids that 18
• Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light • Summer 2021
both boys and girls, making GHS one of the most successful teams in the state.
Success of lifting is starting to pour over into other sports, getting the kids to buy in and come to morning weights. “When they are getting stronger and winning medals, it breeds over into football, track, volleyball, etc. and it multiplies and spreads throughout the program,” Wilkerson said. Returning State Champions Yovanni Juarez and Aaliyah Henry are each vying to win all records at State next year. Becoming a two-time state champion is moving into elite territory, especially on the boys side. Yovanni placed 5th in State as a freshman, in a sport dominated by juniors and seniors, and then advanced to State as a sophomore but the meet was cancelled due to COVID.
