Weightlifting is a pretty popular sport at SCHS. Given, the head coach’s classroom is filled up with trophies of both girls and boys Weightlifting accomplishments. Yet, many believe the sport is starting to see fewer enthusiasts as other sports gain more traction. Is Girls Weightlifting still popular at St. Cloud High School?
Although many lifters feel that there is a decline in the number of lifters, according to Cach Aun, the numbers haven't changed. Many believe the main reason weightlifting doesn’t feel to have as many girls this year is because it hasn’t been advertised well in comparison to previous years. Senior and varsity weightlifter, Rose Tavarez said, “I think it should be publicized more often, everyone knows about football and soccer, but not a lot of people know about weightlifting and not a lot of people promote it.” Yet, Coach Aun believes that there's not much of a difference in participation from past years to this year. Stating, “We’ve actually improved. Years ago we used to have a smaller team. We were really good, but we had no depth, but now having more girls helps out...” Therefore, although it may look like the sport doesn't have as many girls as past years, the sport does continue to do well. Support from their teammates remind the girls that they are not the only ones lifting that bar on the platform, but the rest of the team who help cheer them on.
Teamwork is the foundation for many sports, having someone to work with is known to improve performance because someone is cheering them on. In weightlifting's case, lifting weights is known to improve both mental and physical strength. Coach Aun, the girls weightlifting coach, has been the head coach for the girls weightlifting team at SCHS for the last 18 years. He has witnessed firsthand what teamwork can accomplish. Overall, teamwork makes better lifters. He said, “When you have people around you wanting to do the same thing, and have the same goal, the same purpose, it just pushes you to do more.”
The weightroom has been a refuge for many people, it is a straightforward sport that helps improve all other aspects of exercise, such as strength, mobility, power, and speed. Theres no prior knowledge needed to join weightlifting, essentially lifters lift weights, but learn to do this with the proper form. This is why so many students choose to join weightlifting because it helps them become a better overall athlete while having fun and hanging out with their friends or peers.
The foundation of Girls Weightlifting at SCHS has been built on the number of girls that are in the weightroom, which is why it's vital to keep the number of participants high so the sport can perform better along with the girls.
The girls weightlifting season is still ongoing, with meets every Wednesday until the JV OBC’s on January 8th. They meet every day after school in the weightroom until 4:30. Make sure to check out one of the meets and good luck, girls!
