With only a few meets left in their four meet seasons, girls’ and boys’ powerlifting is already halfway through their 2022 season. Looking to finish strong, the teams will compete Thursday at the Nest.

“I think the last meet was good,” junior Emily Aronson said. “Most of us hit our personal records because it was the second meet and we pushed what we thought we could do.”

Moving forward, coach Eighmy Dobbins is excited to see the growth in her team as a new season brings fresh athletes.

“To prepare for the rest of the season, we have been lifting in the mornings before school,” Dobbins said. “We have a bunch of new powerlifters this season, so the meet was a good learning experience for them.”

While winning is not at the top of junior Justin Ripberger’s list, showing constant improvement remains a point of emphasis.

“I don’t really have many expectations ever going in,” Ripberger said. “I do want to make sure I improve on my lifts after every meet though.”

However, for Ripberger, he feels it takes more than just once a day practice to achieve his goals.

“While I’ve also been preparing by going to practice in the mornings, I’m also lifting outside of school to maintain endurance,” Ripberger said.

Looking to continue her momentum, Aronson sets her goals high and her sights higher.

“My goals moving forward are to qualify for the regional and state meets by keeping up my work with lifting and staying on a track,” Aronson said. “That will move me forward.”