Amid hot July temperatures, powerlifters from around the area gathered at Asher Cohn Park to compete in lifting, curling and bench pressing for the Show of Strength competition Saturday.
Run by Cody VandeWeerd and his family, the Show of Strength contest gave 17 high school, middle school and adult powerlifters the opportunity to compete locally.
VandeWeerd has been competing in strength sports like powerlifting for almost 30 years. VandeWeerd and his wife, Traci, have traveled all around the country for powerlifting competitions.
He decided to organize the Show of Strength competition to offer a local opportunity since typically powerlifters have to travel to compete, he said.
“I’m trying to create something in Eudora that the community can rally around,” he said. “I want to get the middle school and high school kids that are going through strength and conditioning and the school powerlifting club to compete during the offseason.”
Traci VandeWeerd, along with their children Griffin and Allee, helped run the event by keeping scores, adding weights to bars and even competing themselves.
Allee VandeWeerd was the youngest to participate at the event at 12 years old.
Scoring for the competition was based on the amount participants could lift divided by their body weight. This was done to level the playing field for competitors, Cody VandeWeerd said.
“This way, it’s more about who can lift more pound for pound,” he said. “Guys who are a little lighter competing against guys who are 250 pounds, but the guys who are 250 are going to have to lift more than normal to win.”
Senior Ethan Winton participated to show support for the community. He has been on the high school powerlifting team since his freshman year.
“I came out to support and do what I love,” he said. “It’s all people telling you to push yourself, and challenge yourself more and more each day.”
Although the temperature reached 95 degrees, the right amount of fluids and encouragement kept him going, he said.
Winton encourages other high school powerlifters to participate in offseason contests.
“I’m never feeling judged. I’m never feeling scared to do the thing that I love,” he said. “Just challenge yourself more and more each day.”
Mike White, 52, has only been powerlifting for two years. He said many of his competitors were people he sees working out at the Rec.
“I’m naturally strong. At my age, I’m not built for a marathon,” he said. “I like competing even with guys younger than me. It’s a good challenge.”
VandeWeerd’s goal is to make the Show of Strength an annual event. There could be a potential event in the fall, he said.
“We want everybody to have a good time,” he said. “Even for people who want to come and give it a try, this format gives them a chance to try their hand at it.”
Reach reporter Maya Smith at [email protected].
