On Sunday, the Valhalla and Canadore Panthers clubs, under a sanction from the Ontario Powerlifting Association, hosted the second annual Nipisssing District High School Powerlifting Challenge.
The contest, held in the main gymnasium at Canadore’s Commerce Court campus, drew athletes from five North Bay schools, as well as Temiskaming Shores in New Liskeard.
In the female weight classes the winners were: Zara Sheppard of ESC Algonquin at 57 kilos, Grace Liritzis of Chippewa at 72 kilos, Kirsten Beaudoin of St Joseph-Scollard Hall at 84 kilos, and Molly Punnett of SJSH in the +84 kilos division.
Kirsten Beaudion, in addition to winning a gold medal, was named the best female lifter according to the Wilks formula. “The Wilks” ranks athletes according to bodyweight and final total. Beaudion had a total of 265 kilos by way of 95 kilos in the squat, 47.5 kilos in the bench press, and 122.5 in the deadlift.
In the male divisions the gold medals went to: Riley Bullett of West Ferris Secondary at 59 kilos, Andy Dang of Widdifield at 66 kilos, Adam Asselin of ESC Algonquin at 83 kilos, Adam Wallace of West Ferris at 105 kilos, and Brady Benoit of St. Joseph- Scollard Hall at 120 kilos.
Benoit, who weighed-in at 105.4 kilos, had the biggest lifts of the day, including a squat of 197.5 kilos, a bench press of 135 kilos, and a deadlift of 245 kilos, for a total of 577.5. According to the Wilks formula though, the 59 kilo champ, Riley Bullett was the best male lifter overall. Bullett, the current Canadian sub -junior (18 and under) champion and record holder, succeeded with 152.5 kilo in the squat, 100 kilos in the bench press, and 192.5 in the deadlift for an aggregate of 445 kilos.
The team banner went to the contingent from St. Joseph- Scollard Hall.
Based on the results of the top five scoring athletes on a squad, the Bears finished with three first places (Punnett, Beaudoin, Benoit) and two seconds: one from Giulia Valenti in the female 57 class, the other from Aaron Church in the male 66 kilo group. The ESC Algonquin lifters placed second; Chippewa finished third.
Also included in event was a demonstration of Para-Powerlifting by the first member of the newly formed Big Wheels Powerlifting team of North Bay.
The new powerlifting program in North Bay for Para athletes, has only one active member at present, 28-year-old Jake Beaton.
Beaton, also a member of the local Ice Breakers sledge hockey squad, now has a recognized powerlifting competition under his belt. Indeed, on Sunday, competing on a regulation IPC bench, in front of certified referees , the 72 kilo lifter registered a top bench press of 80 kilos.
At the close of the competition, Ron Dillig, the Northern regional chairperson for the Ontario Powerlifting Association, addressed all the weight class winners. Dillig announced that each of the gold medalists has been assured a spot in the upcoming Provincial High School finals slated for Hamilton on May 26.
