Yelm High School’s powerlifting team, spearheaded by strength coach Thomas Hoghaug, slammed some weights and racked up some volume in the program’s inaugural powerlifting competition on Dec. 12 inside YHS’s weight room.
The meet saw 21 Tornado athletes compete in the powerlifting meet, and Hoghaug noted that 15 total schools participated. Only Olympia, Yelm and Quilcene had submitted results at the time of publishing.
“We’ve always had a lot of interest in a powerlifting program, but I’ve never had time to get it organized. With lots of push from my friend, who is a powerlifting coach at Olympia, I decided to give it a try,” Hoghaug said. “The meet itself went really well. The kids had a lot of fun. It was a learning experience for me, too, since I’m running it.”
Hoghaug estimates that up to 30 athletes, both boys and girls, will compete in the powerlifting season, which concludes in May. He noted that some athletes will begin lifting at the end of their winter sports seasons and can compete in meets in the spring.
“I knew we’ve always had big lifters and that we’re a strong school in the weight room. Lifting is a big culture at Yelm High School, and it’s nice to be able to showcase that,” Hoghaug said. “Last year, we won the national high school USA Online Lifting Competition, but that was a one-time event. It’s nice to be able to showcase our skills through the whole season this year in front of the state.”
Yelm’s next powerlifting meet takes place on Jan. 13 at White River High School in Buckley. Hoghaug said the team’s next local competition is March 2 at Olympia High School.
Hoghaug, who noted last week’s event was his first running a powerlifting competition, said the meet served as a learning experience for both himself and the athletes.
“I think kids and parents had fun, but it was also a learning experience for the team. A lot of the athletes were learning how to do the commands, how much time they have until their lift and what to do with that time in between lifts, and all of the nuts and bolts of meets,” Hoghaug said. “Normally when you do meets, the last lift is deadlift. The last round is usually a big round, too, and the most exciting part. Because it was getting so late in the evening, people had to leave. When the big guys, Landen Barger and Colin West, finally got to lift their weight, not many people were there to see it.”
The coach said next time around, he’ll make changes, including adding another platform or two for lifts to speed up the process. The coach was also thankful for several volunteers at the event. He believes there is a strong lifting culture at Yelm, led by physical education teachers Jason Ronquillo, Cayla Gable and himself.
“It was nice having Maddy Hummel. She volunteered and is an alumni. She used to compete, too. Big shoutout to her,” Hoghaug said. “Jamie Owens, a parent of some students, volunteered too, along with Cayla Gable. Without them, it would’ve been a lot harder.”
