After Landen Barger helped lead the Yelm state championship football team as a captain and as a critical piece to the offensive and defensive lines, the junior at Yelm High School has found another athletic activity he excels at.
Barger secured first place overall at the Washington State High School Powerlifting meet on April 15 at Snohomish High School. He won the meet with a squat, bench and deadlift total of 1,405 pounds.
During the competition, Barger had a rep of 330 pounds on the bench press, a rep of 525 pounds while squatting and a 550-pound deadlift.
“I feel powerlifting will obviously benefit me in the strength department for sports, but also to stay in shape and keep my muscles conditioned,” Barger said. “My favorite part about powerlifting was the support from everyone and being able to compete at something I love to do.”
Through powerlifting, Barger has found a new way to connect with his father, who also happens to be his powerlifting coach.
“Having my dad as my coach is huge,” he said. “Him and I have a very special bond, and he helps me connect with what I’m doing and get in the zone no matter what.”
His dad, Shane Barger, said he doesn’t get to work out with his son in the weight room, but they work to prepare for the obstacles by prepping at home.
“We prepare at home by breaking down technique, safety and the importance of mentally prepping for each lift,” Shane Barger said. “We have created a mindset that when you step into the weight room, just like the gridiron, it's time to clock in. We discuss workouts at home and prep each week based on how far away we are from competitions.”
Shane Barger added the connection he has with his son has allowed him to observe and see what he needs mentally to prepare for the competitions and life in general.
“My favorite lift is deadlift because it’s raw strength. It’s either you got it or you don't. There’s no cheating it,” Landen Barger said. “I love weight lifting because it’s a one man sport — everything falls on you. There aren’t any other factors than yourself.”
His dad described the deadlift as Landen Barger’s “money maker.”
“Based on his build and explosive lower body muscles, he has just figured out how to transfer explosiveness into power for that lift,” Shane Barger said. “I would like to see him work on all of his lifts to be frank. There is always room for improvement. We always talk about being better than your own best self.”
Shane Barger said the adrenaline rush and the anticipation of competition is what brings him joy as he coaches his son. He loves to see his son get after the competition and likes to find out what Landen Barger is capable of, especially when he is forced to dig deep to complete a lift.
“There is nothing better than hearing the roar of the crowd, or like this past weekend at the competition, watching the powerlifting community get as excited as I was to watch him,” Shane Barger said. “Even more than that is seeing that Landen has done this right here in his hometown of Yelm, in his high school weight room, no fancy gyms, no big dollar trainers, just a lot of grit and determination.”
Shane Barger noted he is thankful for the coaches and staff at Yelm High School who spend their time in the weight room and for the other athletes who help spot his son while he lifts. He said having weight room availability has been a privilege for athletes at the high school.
Landen Barger’s final meet is scheduled for May 6 at Shelton High School. The junior said he would like to open the meet with the numbers he secured at Snohomish.
One of his goals going forward includes getting his total to 1,500 pounds. His dad said Landen Barger would like to win a Washington State University powerlifting championship, and would also like to secure wins at the state competition for the Amateur Athletic Union and the national championships.
