Caledonia Argus

Powerlifting is new, unfunded sport at CHS

Posted: 11/25/03

Three students from Caledonia High School talked to the school board last week about the sport of powerlifting.

Meghan Burg, Nathalie Bessie, and Danielle Frank asked for help in buying school equipment. They said weight room equipment is geared for boys. They want to be recognized as a school sport and be able to receive letters.

Teacher Cori Ronnenberg said there is a lot of interest in the activity, which she has been supervising at her own expense. She sees a need for it because a lot of girls are lifting wrong.

Burg estimated that there are 12-15 ìpretty dedicatedî girls who are interested.

The board denied their request for this year, but will consider it for next year when it established a budget.

School superintendent Jim Tool estimated the cost would be from $400-$1,200, with a coaching salary of $1,100.

Ronnenberg explained the sport in an e-mail to the Argus.

ìPowerlifting is similar to the sport of wrestling. Each girl competes in their weight class. They compete in three events: dead lift, bench press, and squat. Each girl gets three times at each lift. Whoever lifts the most weight in all three lifts combined is the winner.

ìWe compete in the Wisconsin High School League. There is a JV and Varsity league. We usually compete Dec.-Feb. It will cost each girl $20 to enter each meet. We can compete as a team or as individuals. The equipment we need to compete are weight belts, knee wraps, and singlets, all costing $20-$50.

ìThis is our second year we have had the girls powerlifting club. We practice Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and Sunday afternoons. We have about 12-16 girls that are wanting to compete.î

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