Jacob McLean

Jacob McLean, a weightlifter at J.W. Mitchell High School, was selected as a Gregg Schindler Student Athlete for April.

By Hanna Carberry-Simmering

At the start of this year, Jacob McLean decided to join the J.W. Mitchell High School boys weightlifting team after he had started lifting two years ago. His personal record as of now is 245lb bench and 205lb clean and jerk. As the weightlifting season came to a close, Mclean prepared for districts on April 2.

“I get a good night’s sleep and I normally have to cut weight so I don’t eat a lot before. I haven’t lost any of the meets, I’ve either gotten first or second for my weight

class,” McLean said.

McLean’s first year on the

team has been successful with

him heading to districts. Because he did well at districts he’ll be

heading to regionals and possibly states afterwards. He started

At the district meet on April 2, Jacob McLean proudly wears his medal from the tournament. McLean moves on to regionals April 6 – 8. Photo provided by Jacob McLean

weightlifting after experiencing self esteem issues.

“I used to be pretty insecure about my body so I wanted to change it though lifting and then I really just got attached to it,” McLean said.

He practices after school with the rest of the boys weightlifting team, normally on Mondays and Wednesdays. Coach Chris McFarland (FAC) coaches the boys weightlifting team during spring and is an assistant football coach during fall, while teaching the weightlifting class at school.

“He’s a first-year lifter. He won conference and

he’s done a great job this year helping and just being a positive role model for all the other students,” Coach McFarland said.

Congratulations to Jacob McLean, Gregg Schindler Male Student Athlete of the Month.