Powerlifting event brings athletes from all over Ohio to Danville

DANVILLE In the middle of winter, year after year, they make the annual pilgrimage to Danville. About 200 athletes from around the state of Ohio go through the rigors of testing their strength, competitive spirit and resolve. Saturdays 27th Annual Danville Powerlifting Meet attracted lifters from the four corners of Ohio literally. There were 18 teams in total. Among them were local teams like Utica and Fredericktown. There were also some teams that had to drive two or three hours, in the cold, to get in the competition. Those included teams from Toledo Christian Academy, Shadyside, Claymont, Conotton Valley and Western Reserve.

Shadyside brought along a good-size contingent of lifters, who got out of bed around 4 a.m. and arrived at the door of the Danville gymnasium at about a quarter to eight.

We have a lot of drive, said Logan Crozier, a 16-year-old, who plays center on the Shadyside football team. We just want to go out and do the best we can. I love the environment here. Everyone here is watching you. Everyone helps each other out. Its about sportsmanship. We all want to get better.

Some teams brought along an impressive amount of girls, as well as boys. Northmor was one of those.

I just like all the competitors and how they push us to get the weights up, said Northmor lifter Megan McGlothlin, a junior. Our groups are all pretty evenly matched. I like powerlifting. It helps me to push myself and I get stronger, everyday.

For Colton Johnson, a freshman from Ashland, powerlifting is all about self-improvement. He is a linebacker and running back on the football team.

I want to get better, Johnson said. No matter where you are, skill-wise, you can come here and see how youre doing. Theres a lot of competition here. People want to win.

South Central High School junior Elijah Radcliffe was a football player in his sophomore year, but now, he is exclusively a powerlifter.

All I can say is that we like to compete with each other and we like to do better, Radcliffe said. Were willing to travel to compete against other people and we have fun.

The Danville meet left Radcliffe quite impressed.

Its really nice to see all the schools here, Radcliffe said. There are random people, from different schools, congratulating each other. Im making friends with other people from different schools. I like it here.

Danville football coach Ed Honabarger believes the answer to why Danville keeps drawing so many lifters is pretty simple.

I think its the longevity of the event, Honabarger said. Its one of the oldest weightlifting events in Ohio. Also, people seem to like the way we run the meet. Weve got a good thing going, so they keep coming back. We have had people from Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo, through the years. Its a good way for people who dont play winter sports like wrestling or basketball to get out of the weight room and have some competition in the winter.

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Geoff Cowles: 740-397-5333 or gcowles@mountvernonnews.com and on Twitter, @http://twitter.com/mountvernonnews

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