Fundraising for the Youth World Championships
First of all, to everyone who has made a donation, or purchased a fundraiser shirt, we could not be more grateful. It means a lot that so many are so willing to support Sebastian.
If you are not aware of what we are referencing, our own Sebastian Rose has been selected to represent Team USA at the 2024 IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Lima, Peru later this year. He is 1 of 4 males, along with 7 females that qualified for the team that will be competing against the best Youth lifters in the world, age 17 and under.
We have just received the competition expense notification from USA Weightlifting, and we are needing to raise $4,500.00 to make the trip possible. USAW is not providing any financial support for this trip. Now that we know the full cost, we are stepping up our fundraising efforts, and asking anyone and everyone that has the means, to donate to this cause.
There are multiple ways to help. We still have a few t-shirts left for purchase. Direct contributions to our non-profit are tax-deductible. We are also doing a 50/50 raffle, where half the proceeds go to the winning ticket, and the other half goes to the trip.
We also have our annual Lift-A-Thon coming up in April, which is open to anyone, not just HWC Team Members.
The trip costs are due by the end of March, so time is of the essence. We will be eternally grateful for anything anyone can do. If you are unable to support financially, please share this with everyone you know. Friends, family members, co-workers, businesses looking to sponsor a non-profit, etc.
Again, thank you all so much for everything you have already done.
T-shirts - https://www.roseperformance.com/apparel-and-gear/youth-worlds-support-tee
Direct Contribution - https://www.roseperformance.com/memberships/charitable-contribution-hwc
50/50 Raffle - https://www.roseperformance.com/memberships/50-50-raffle
The Lift-A-Thon - https://www.roseperformance.com/the-lift-a-thon/
From his first National Championships to making the World Team
Making a World Team
2024 Youth World Team Training Camp at the Olympic Training Center
SEBASTIAN ROSE’S JOURNEY TO THE 2024 YOUTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
2018 Youth National Championships, Age 10, 21kg Clean & Jerk, 30kg Bodyweight
World Teams are very hard to make. It involves a process, and there are only 10 spots available. Only 10 spots mean you compete against every eligible athlete, across all weight classes, not just your own.
To qualify, you must first have been entered into the United States Anti-Doping Association (USADA) Random Testing Pool (RTP) for a minimum of 6 months.
Next, you must make the Qualification Total for your weight class, during the qualification window. Totals are determined by 81% of the 3rd place total from the previous year’s Youth World Championships.
Finally, your best total at a USA Weightlifting National Level drug tested competition during the qualification window, must be in the Top 10 across all weight classes, and at least Top 2 in your weigh class, based on the National Ranking System (NRS).
Each weight class has an NRS number that is the average of the Top 5 finishes from the previous 4 years of the Youth World Championships. The 10 athletes that come the closest to their weight class NRS number will be selected to the team. In 2023, there were over 1,000 male athletes, aged 17 years or younger, across the country.
Sebastian successfully made his qualification total of 184kg in the 55kg weight class, 1 of only 4 male athletes (out of 1,000) to do so. 184kg also placed him 2nd in his weight class. The NRS number for the 55kg weight class was 223. Sebastian’s total, which was 82.51% of the NRS, put him in 4th position on the U.S. National Youth Team.
How did he get there? In a word, perseverance. Below is a glimpse into what Sebastian had to do:
· Set a clear, attainable goal - We talked in September about the possibility of making the team at the American Open Finals in December. At that point, his best competition total was 175kg. We felt adding 9kg to it was attainable in 3 months.
· Visualize – One of the first things we talked about was starting the process of visualization. Visualization requires a clear goal, so we talked about the specific numbers he would need to make to get the total.
· Personal Desire – The athlete has to want this for themselves. No matter how much coaches, relatives, or friends want it for the athlete, the athlete has to truly have the desire to achieve the goal.
· Outside Support – Athletes don’t make it to the top on their own. It takes a village to help with program design, technique corrections, accessory training, massage/bodywork, nutrition, training atmosphere, psychological training, etc. Sebastian is fortunate to have a huge support system to help with every aspect of his training. That same support system is available to every Harrisburg Weightlifting Club athlete.
· Buy-In – Full buy-in to the training program and process was needed. Training over the previous couple months had been spotty, but this clear new goal allowed for full buy-in to what needed to be done to achieve it. A complete shift in focus and approach to training was needed.
· Discipline – A clear new goal helps with motivation, but discipline is what keeps you going during the unmotivated times.
· Nutrition – As he was weighing around 58kg at the time, we knew a proper nutrition plan would be critical to allow him to continue gaining strength, while working to get down to the required 55kg bodyweight. He may not have enjoyed eating the same plain foods every day, but he did not complain. He just ate what he was supposed to eat.
· Sleep – Sebastian knows that the training alone is not specifically what makes you stronger. It is during recovery that your body grows stronger. Proper recovery only happens when sleeping, so he knew not to stay up late in order to get all the sleep his body required, so he could train as hard as was necessary to accomplish the goal.
· Sacrifice – For a teenager, giving up gaming time, friend time, relationship time, free time, holiday time, etc., can be difficult. It is a sacrifice to put training, sleeping, and eating above everything else. He never complained about the sacrifices. Having to follow a strict nutrition plan during the holidays, and having to train on Thanksgiving Day is not the most fun, but he handled it like an athlete should. He just did what was necessary.
· Follow the Program – The only way to know if a program works, is to follow it to the letter. The entirety of the program meaning prehab, rehab, training, accessory work, diet, and recovery. He never deviated from what was written, which allowed progress to be tracked accurately.
· Trust the Process – We don’t train our Youth athletes the way a lot of coaches do. Ours is a longer, more comprehensive program for overall athletic development, safety, and longevity in the sport. Sebastian entered his first competition in 2018, at the age of 10, with a 16kg Snatch, 21kg Clean & Jerk, 37kg Total, weighing 30kg. His development to this point has taken 5.5 years, and he will end his Youth career as part of an elite group, with the opportunity to compete alongside the best in the World, at the age of 16. In his final competition of 2023, he ended with a 78kg Snatch, 106kg Clean & Jerk, 184kg Total, weighing 55kg. He has competed in 35 competitions, and 6 National Championships. He has won 2 Youth National Championships, 1 Junior National Championship, and is now a 2024 Team USA member for the IWF World Youth Championships. He trusts the process.
2023 North American Open Finals, Age 16, 106kg Clean & Jerk, 55kg Bodyweight
2024 Youth World Team Training Camp at the Olympic Training Center
FUNDRAISING FOR THE TRIP
USA Weightlifting is not funding this trip for athletes and coaches. All Sebastian’s expenses will come out of pocket, and we could use some help raising money. We will have multiple fundraisers leading up to the May trip to Peru, and the first is a Support Team shirt. You can purchase at the link below, and profits from the shirts will go towards his trip. If you want to just donate outright, all donations are tax-deductible through our Non-Profit IRC 501(c)(3). Info for that is below as well:
Order Shirts Here
Non-Profit Donations
Upcoming WSO Elections
Firstly, I am not running for Carolinas WSO Board election. I have served on the Board in the past, both as President, and as Vice-President back when there were only 3 Board members. One of my athletes and Assistant Coaches also just served, and had not the best of experiences while doing so. My suggestions and comments are based purely on what I feel would be positive for the Carolinas Weightlifting community as a whole, and how we may be able to do better with proper leadership in place. USA Weightlifting now offers more input and support than they have in the past, and I hope we can start taking advantage of some new changes now put in place.
I typically am not a vocal person when it comes to matters such as this. I know a lot of what I am about to present will be very negative. I would prefer to stay out of things, and promote nothing but positivity, but I feel some things need to be said. The things I am going to say are not indicative of every member of our current Board. The overall makeup of the current Board could well have left some members in a hopeless position, when all some want is to help our sport grow in our community.
Also, I know being a Board Member can be a thankless job, an unpaid volunteer position, though the expectations of the job are very high. I have taken that into account while preparing my thoughts. That being said, if you choose to put yourself up for a Board position, be sure to understand what it entails.
This will be a lengthy read, so bear with me.
Why listen to anything that I have to say? Simply put, Weightlifting has been an integral part of my life for the past 33 years. All 5 members of my family have competed, and/or are still competing in Weightlifting. I love the sport, and have since the first time I learned the lifts in 1990, started competing in 1995, and received an invitation for a Summer Residency at the Olympic Training Center in 1996. Back then, there was no popularity in the sport, and it was even more obscure than it is now. In the late 2000s, the sport started to regain some popularity, due to a few main reasons such as CrossFit, California Strength and YouTube, and Team MDUSA, which I will talk about below.
This sport completely changed my life and altered the path I was on at the time. That new path has led me on the most amazing journey, a portion of which most people are not aware of. My love for Weightlifting led me to becoming an owner of the original equipment company, MuscleDriver USA, or what most people came to know as MDUSA.
MuscleDriver USA started out as a sport nutrition company called Vigorous Living, owned by Brad Hess in Florida during the early 2000s. In 2005, I joined as the third member of a 3-person company. While there, I suggested we put a platform, a squat rack, and a set of plates in the warehouse so I could continue to train Weightlifting during lunch or slow times. Brad agreed, and joined in on the training. (That original squat rack is still in use at the HWC today.) In 2006, 1 partner left, and Brad and I moved the company and our families to the Charlotte/Rock Hill area, where we started selling kettlebells at the same time CrossFit started gaining popularity. We still had our lifting equipment in the warehouse, and would still train during slow times.
As the equipment business began to grow, along with the popularity of CrossFit, we started to invest more in the production of Weightlifting equipment. (The first prototype barbell from then is still in use at the HWC today, as well as 1st Gen bumper plates.) My dream had always been to train athletes, and teach Olympic Weightlifting, and over the course of months and numerous dinner table conversations, the vision of a Professional, corporate-sponsored Weightlifting team was brought to light. This vision led to the creation of the MDUSA Grand Prix in 2011, following in the footsteps of Mark Cannella and Columbus Weightlifting and the Arnold Weightlifting Championships as one of the few competitions to offer over $10k in prize money in the modern Weightlifting era in the US. That vision is also what created Team MDUSA in 2012, with the first team tryouts taking place that Summer. To my knowledge, Team MDUSA was the first of its kind to form in the U.S.
Two major offshoots of MDUSA became pivotal for the development of the sport of Weightlifting in the United States. The PENDLAY brand can still be found in gyms and garages across the country to this day. As Co-Owner, Vice-President, and COO, my days were spent on business projects, one of which was developing the process of custom printing on bumper plates, which became one of the largest sources of revenue for MDUSA. (If you purchased printed, competition-style plates from MDUSA or some other well-known brands between 2009-2011, I probably hand-printed them myself.) As such, I did not have the time to devote to creating the Weightlifting team. We needed a Coach who already had a good name.
The process of taking a trip to Texas, buying out Glenn Pendlay (who was already coaching and producing and selling his own brand of barbells and Do-Win Weightlifting Shoes), driving all his inventory back to the Carolinas, bringing him into partnership with MDUSA, and sending him to California for a stint to train with lifters and work on YouTube videos all started in the mid-late 2000s.
Those YouTube videos, started by California Strength, truly helped make the sport of Weightlifting visible in the United States. When we brought Glenn back to the Charlotte area, the popularity he gained from being featured in those YouTube videos followed him. Glenn became the name and face of the MDUSA and PENDLAY brands. His first-Gen GHD (my personal favorite design) is still in use at the HWC today. He also became THE iconic Head Coach of TEAM MDUSA. The MuscleDriver USA brand, PENDLAY brand, and Team MDUSA started to become well-known across the U.S. Weightlifting community, with 2 future Olympians and multiple World Team athletes being on Team MDUSA at one point.
Unfortunate health issues befell Glenn in late 2012, creating a need for more coaches to manage the growing team. We had some hard conversations, and made the decision to start bringing in coaches like McCauley, Mash, and Wilkes to support him, and Team MDUSA continued on.
The business I was fortunate to be a part of from the beginning, went from a 2-man operation in 2006, to the behemoth it became at the height of its popularity in the early 2010s, and was hugely instrumental in putting Weightlifting back on the map, though many sacrifices were made along that journey.
I chose to leave MuscleDriver USA at the end of 2012 and started HWC in 2013. About 3 years later, MDUSA imploded, went bankrupt, and is no longer around. Many lifters you know of today were part of that original Team MDUSA roster of 2012. They are outstanding people and have had outstanding careers. During those last few years from 2013-early 2016, more lifters joined Team MDUSA, gained some notoriety, and developed a strong following through social media. Some of those former Team MDUSA lifters are currently sitting on the Carolinas WSO Board. When MDUSA went under it left Team MDUSA with no home or place to train. Some of the athletes stuck together and started their own Clubs in the Charlotte area, and some went their separate ways out of the area.
The history here is laid out to explain that I have been around this sport for a very long time, and to also provide a timeline of some major events that have led us to where we are today, and how Weightlifting has grown here in the Carolinas. Business dealings with MuscleDriver USA naturally created an extensive network across the country. I meet a huge number of weightlifters and coaches as a gym owner, USAW Coaching Course Instructor, and Head Coach of HWC. I have associations with some amazing people, as well as some whose ethics and character I question considerably, and I just want the best leaders possible to manage our sport and local community.
These decisions, regarding the Carolinas WSO Board, are very important. Our elected officials are to hold their positions for the next 4 years and will be responsible for many facets of our Weightlifting community. Their decision-making will dictate how your money is used. Did you know there was a bank account, held by USA Weightlifting, with not a small sum of money to be used at the discretion of the Board, for the benefit of our Carolina community? The Board also has control over who will be permitted to host local competitions and when they can be held. The Board is meant to have direct audience with USA Weightlifting – sharing notable developments from the larger organization with our community, while also being a means for our community to communicate with the larger organization. Ultimately, the actions (and inaction) of our future Board will impact our WSO community considerably. The potential for our community to grow and develop in a positive manner is there, and leaders in key positions can either help or hinder our community progress.
Let’s choose a Board that represents the entirety of North and South Carolina, not one that is heavily entrenched in one area. The current 8-member Board, (there are supposed to be 9 members, but one recently stepped down from position due to what is described as a toxic environment), is composed of 3 members from one club team, 2 of those individuals being married to one another. One of the married couple holds the WSO Presidency. Two more current Board members are heavily connected with each other, as well as with the aforementioned 3, creating a super majority. Voting within the current Board was rendered essentially pointless because of this. USA Weightlifting has now amended the WSO alignments to permit no more than 2 members from a single club team to serve on the Board at one time, which I think is a step in the right direction. Perhaps the issues that came about purely due to the configuration of the current Board will not arise for our community moving forward.
Let’s choose a Board where members can speak freely, without being censored, hushed, and/or dismissed. The WSO Board chose to introduce each member to the community. The introductions were an opportunity for each Board member to tell the community about themselves, in their own words. A prompt was agreed upon, and the individual responses were submitted to be published on social media. One Board member had their introduction heavily censored without their permission. The Board member’s introduction was originally a rebuttal to a statement made by another Board member during a Board meeting. Many members of our community may have found what this other Board member had to say extremely offensive. The Board member who censored the introductory statement did not want to “introduce the Board in a negative light, or create questions or confusion in the community.” Shouldn’t we, the community, have the ability to question our Board members or clear up confusion from our Board members ourselves? Is the Board a dictatorship, or part of a non-profit organization meant to serve our Weightlifting community?
Let’s choose a Board that is not too busy to bring about changes that can benefit Weightlifting in the Carolinas. Please don’t nominate yourself, or someone else, if the time commitment is something that cannot be adhered to. There are expectations of monthly meetings and tasks related to serving our community. USA Weightlifting has initiatives that the WSO Boards should be passing along to our WSO members, but if Board members don’t have the time to put initiatives into action, our community does not benefit.
How many of you are aware of the various USAW Coach Development Scholarships programs? Each WSO was given an opportunity to take advantage of a scholarship matching program: the WSO could fund a number of scholarships for Women and BIPOC Coach development within our community, and USAW would match a number of these scholarships depending on what the WSO committed to. The WSO would be responsible for opening the scholarship applications, reviewing the applications, and awarding the scholarships, (within USAW-guided award criteria), to members within our WSO community. Each scholarship is $549 for a USAW Level 1 or Level 2 Coaching Course enrollment. A one-year USAW Coach Membership would also be funded for the scholarship awardee. Through this annual program, USAW would match up to 2 of these scholarships. Participation in this program was not mandatory, but strongly encouraged by USAW as it would benefit each weightlifting community. This program was introduced to the WSO Presidents some time before April 1st 2023 (although, I don’t know the exact date). I personally have not seen any communication or details about these scholarships or this matching program from our current Board. Surely there are Coaches within our community who would like to apply for such a scholarship? Our community can only benefit from encouraging further education of passionate coaches.
Did you know about the Nationals Scholarship Program? One Board member spent a great deal of time creating a National Scholarship initiative for the Carolinas. This program was to provide funding, through the WSO, to athletes who qualified for and posted a total at the 2023 USAW National Championships Week. Was anyone, besides those athletes who qualified for Nationals, aware of this initiative?
During the planning phase of the National Scholarship initiative, the WSO Board voted to cap the total funds allocated for the program. Support among the Board members was given to potentially increase the award payout to each approved applicant if the total scholarship fund did not meet the agreed upon cap. After USAW Nationals 2023, applications for the National Scholarship program were submitted and reviewed by the Board. Initially, the total payout for the scholarship program amounted to less than 28% of the established fund cap for the program. When one Board member requested an increase in individual scholarship award (based on previous support for doing so), where the proposed increased dollar amount still would have been well below the scholarship fund cap, support from the majority of the Board was withdrawn, and the Board member was insulted for making the request.
This same Board member who framed the initiative was then chastised by members of the Board for asking all scholarship applicants to follow the rules for submitting the application. A simple discrepancy in the application deadline date, the difference of 1 day, came up while reviewing a scholarship application. This discrepancy regarding the deadline date was neither questioned, nor addressed during the Board’s final review and voting process, yet complete responsibility of the discrepancy was placed on the Board member drafting the program. Since the application in question belonged to an athlete who is coached by members of the Board, concessions were then asked to be made for this individual, and the application in question be approved.
Remember, Board positions are unpaid volunteer positions. This Board member, who found themself on the receiving end of insults and aggressive unprofessionalism from other Board members, spent an enormous amount of personal time and effort to bring about an initiative to benefit members of our community. Is this type of bias and unprofessionalism what we want to see out of our leaders?
Let’s choose a Board that really wants to help. It may be prestigious to say you are on the Carolinas WSO Board, and it may be enticing to have some control over the Weightlifting community. Such a position may be an opportunity to spotlight your own gyms, club teams, and reputation as an active Coach or athlete. That being said, the Board should be comprised of people who simply want to help the community as a whole.
In 2022, the current WSO Board voted to reimburse themselves for their hotel and travel expenses during the 2022 WSO Championship competition. Some of those Board members were also competing in and coaching during the event, not just facilitating it. Did any other competitors or coaches who also helped, load, ref, check-in, weigh-in, Marshall, announce, etc also receive travel expense re-imbursement? Prior to 2022, I do not know of any Board members in the Carolinas ever taking community money for their work in running the State Championships. I do not believe there are any rules against it, and whether or not they should is probably a matter of opinion, just simply stating that this may have been a first. I wonder if the larger community would have voted in favor of reimbursing the Board Members for facilitating an event when they themselves did not have the option of reimbursement for their own travel expenses?
Board members also voted to re-imburse themselves for equipment provided to supply the WSO Championships. Anyone that supplied equipment was also re-imbursed in the way of free registrations for the WSO Championships. In the past, equipment sponsors simply provided the equipment at no cost to the organization. Now, there are more funds available to WSO communities from USA Weightlifting. Would it have been more fiscally responsible to purchase equipment that could be used year after year, (as well as to be on loan for smaller clubs in need of equipment to be able to host competitions), or essentially continue to rent equipment from Board members and our community every year?
Some Board members were also questioning if they should be compensated for closing their gyms during the 2-day weekend event.
Taking advantage of access to funds is not something I want to see in our Board Members
Let’s choose people that we know just love the sport of Weightlifting, want to see it grow in the Carolinas, and want to support all athletes and clubs.
Of the 34 registered Weightlifting clubs in North Carolina and South Carolina, how many have you seen highlighted on the Carolinas WSO social media account? Or do we typically see the same gyms/athletes/club teams being posted? Why has this past week been such a flourish activity on the WSO Instagram?
I wonder how many athletes from the Carolinas qualified to compete at the Nationals Championships (Youth, Jr, Sr, Master, U23, U35, or University)? How many USAW National medal winners from North Carolina and South Carolina were discussed or spotlighted by our current WSO Board? Since 2022 alone, I know of multiple Youth, Junior, University, U25 and Masters athletes from the Carolinas that have won National Championships. I know of multiple Youth, Junior, University, U25, Senior, and Masters that have also received medals at National Championships. Since 2022 alone, the Carolinas have at least 1 Masters World Champion and World Record holder, and at least 1 more Masters World Championships medalist. In 2022, at least 2 athletes from the Carolinas were selected to represent Team USA in International competition at the Youth Pan American Championships, and the FISU Americas Games.
How many of those athletes have been recognized by our Board? How many others haven’t received any recognition? Is there a reason why we don’t highlight youth athletes, who are the future of our sport, and Master’s athletes, who play a huge role in keeping the sport alive with consistent event participation and membership? While USA Weightlifting seems to highlight mostly Junior and Senior athletes and their success, we can do a better job at supporting our own Carolinas weightlifting community, by highlighting ALL our athletes and recognizing everyone’s hard work and efforts.
Do we want Board members who are willing to bend the rules for themselves to win local competitions?
One Board member, who was attempting to make weight to compete, removed the weigh-in scale designated for Platform A, and took it to the Platform B weigh-in area, after failing to make weight on the Platform A scale. Such a maneuver granted this person greater opportunity and flexibility to attempt to make weight, well outside of normal weigh-in protocol. Would anyone else have been allowed to use a different scale other than the one designated for their platform and session time?
This same Board member was also seen verbally berating a YOUTH athlete who was not their own athlete. Should an adult be approaching a minor in that capacity? What was preventing this Board member from speaking with the youth athlete’s coach, or perhaps parents (who were also seated in the spectator stands when this aggressive confrontation from the Board member took place)? This conduct from a Board member, who is also a coach, is highly questionable. Should we not expect at least the most basic level of professionalism from our community leaders?
Some notable clubs were absent from both the 2022 and now the 2023 Championships. One of the biggest annual events in the Carolinas was not hosted here this year. Clubs, coaches, athletes, and events should not have to choose whether to come to, or host events in the Carolinas due to differences with some of the Board members.
Until this past week, the last time minutes of board meetings were published on USA Weightlifting’s website was in September of 2022. Until this past week, the last time anything was updated on the Carolinas WSO Website was April of 2022. Until this past week, did anyone know that there was a system to submit State records? Why has it taken well over a year for this information to come out, and why just now, this past week?
Again, there are many things the Board has the ability to do for our community, and these things I have been mentioning are all very time consuming. It is completely understandable to not have the time to volunteer to push these initiatives forward. My point of view is simply that if someone does not have the time, then another person who may have the time could be a better fit for our community.
Since incorporating the new WSO alignments under USA Weightlifting, we have had 2 WSO Championships. By most accounts these meets were run well, with only a few notable issues. Athletes and coaches had great experiences overall, and all the hard work that goes into running these large meets is greatly appreciated. Our community loves to compete, and can’t do so unless people are willing to hold events. Unless you have actually hosted a competition, it is very hard to understand how much goes into it, how much work and planning is involved, and how thankless it can be. The Board is to be commended for all its hard work in organizing these past 2 Championships.
As I said in the beginning, I don’t believe my opinions here are reflective of the entire Board. I am sure some members want nothing more than to simply help our community.
I just think that with all the new support coming from USAW, our Board (as a cohesive unit) has the potential to do more for the community. Let’s look for Board Members who are eager to get involved and help the community as a whole. This should not be done through a popularity contest.
If you love Weightlifting, and have the time to give to the community, you can make a huge impact on the growth of the sport here. If not you, nominate someone you know would love to make a difference. Maybe we can all have a fresh start, and create some amazing opportunities for our community, and the growth of the sport we all love so much.
An email from Election Buddy calling for nominations was be sent on October 9th, and the nomination period will last until Oct. 20. Elections are open for one week starting November 7th. The election term for winners runs Jan 1. 2024-Jan. 1, 2028.
Dan Rose
Athlete spotlight - Holden Humphreys
What is your name?
Holden Humphreys
How old are you?
12
What grade are you in?
Rising 7th Grader
Where do you attend school?
Hickory Ridge Middle School
What sport(s) do you play?
Basketball and soon Weightlifting!
Why did you first choose your sport?
It’s fun
Why do you continue to play your sport?
To get better.
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be? Make the 7th grade basketball team next year.
What emotions do you feel when you play well?
Very excited and good about myself.
What is your favorite movie about sports?
SpaceJam
How does being an athlete make you a better person?
Learning good sportsmanship
If you could play another sport what would it be?
Football
What age were you when you started your sport?
8
Who inspired you as a young athlete?
My Dad
What one word describes you?
Goofy
Who was your favorite coach and why?
Coach Mike because he pushing me at the gym to be the best I can be.
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning?
Yes. You have to have a good attitude to succeed
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good?
It helps me stay active and helps me control my Type One Diabetes.
How does athletics make you a better student or worker?
Helps me stay focused and work with a team.
Athlete Spotlight - 2021 High School Graduates
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
OUR 2021 HIGH SCHOOL GRADS
Anthony Miale @ant_man1211
•Hickory Ridge HS grad
•Attending Methodist University to play baseball
•Planned Major? Biology with Healthcare Concentration
Was accepted into the Early Assurance Physician Assistant Program at Methodist as well
•Why is Rose Performance the happiest place on earth? Because every time you go there, you can say and know that you got better today. You got stronger today.
Chancellor Carter
•Central Cabarrus HS grad
•Plan on going to the Air Force or to RCCC
•Why is rose performance the happiest place on earth? Rose Performance has the most awesome people that work as a team and The Coach is More Awesome!
Emily Ireland @emilyirelande
•Hickory Ridge HS grad
•Attending NC State
•Planned major? Environmental science or zoology
•Why is Rose Performance the happiest place on earth?
Because lifting makes me feel good
Brandon Sheets @brandon_sheets85936
•Bradford Prep School grad
•Planning to attend a 2 year school then transfer to a four year university once I figure out what I want to do.
•Major in something related to computer science/ business
•What will you miss most about high school? Those desks where the chair was attached. I could crack my back so good with those things. I will definitely miss being able to do that regularly.
•Why is rose performance the happiest place on earth?
Because it just is, there is no explanation.
Ava Oteri @ava.oteri
•Hickory Ridge HS grad
•Attending ETSU for weightlifting
•Planned major? kinesiology
•Why is Rose Performance the happiest place on earth? The fact that i am here every day for hours
Athlete Spotlight - Gracyn Polk
What is your name? Gracyn Polk
How old are you? 21
Where do you attend school(if applicable) Wingate University, Physical Therapy School
What sport(s) do you play? Softball
Why did you first choose your sport? I chose the game of softball as my dad played baseball all his life and both of my grandfathers coached baseball, making softball the closest thing to what they were all involved in, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Why do you continue to play your sport? I continue to play softball as I have fallen in love with the feeling of getting a clutch hit in a tight game, or diving and catching a ball that no one thought I would. The adrenaline I get from playing well and helping my team win is unlike anything else and keeps me driven to keep playing the game I love.
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be? I would wish to receive the honors of first or second team all-conference during my upcoming senior season.
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you? Very important as I have worked hard my entire life to be at the level I am now and wish to look back and be proud of all the accomplishments, big or small that I have made along my journey.
What is your favorite sports quote? “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
What emotions do you feel when you play well? I feel an overwhelming sense of joy and pride in all of the work I put in prior to that game to make my successes happen.
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing? “See a Victory” -Elevation Worship
What is your favorite movie about sports? The Sandlot
How does being an athlete make you a better person? Through my experiences in softball, I have learned how to communicate better with others, not let failure discourage me, and have confidence in who I am and what I stand for.
What is the one thing you always do after a good performance? Go out to eat with my family.
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete? I pray, reciting a few of my favorite bible verses to myself.
If you could play another sport what would it be? Volleyball
What age were you when you started your sport? 6
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition? Anything Italian!!!
Who inspired you as a young athlete? My father
What one word describes you? hard-working
Who was your favorite coach and why? My hitting coach growing up, Janiva Willis, as she pushed me to not only be the best softball player I could be, but also the best version of myself. I knew I could always count on her for support and advice.
What do you give up to play sports? A lot of my free time that I could be resting or catching up on homework, as well as time spent with friends and family.
What is your favorite place to compete? Under the lights
What mental tool do you use under pressure? I talk to myself and remind myself to trust my preparation and abilities.
What is your favorite mantra? I was built for this moment!!!
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? Absolutely, a bad attitude can be the root cause of poor performance or poor team chemistry.
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good? It has inspired me to get more involved in my community and helping inspire the younger generations to play my sport. Also, it has pushed me to pursue the career of physical therapy, in which I aim to help individual recover from sports injuries as someone helped me.
How does athletics make you a better student or worker? Pushes me to have better time management and organization, as well as put all of my effort into everything I do.
Athlete Spotlight - Sebastian Rose
What is your name? Sebastian Rose
How old are you? 13.7
What grade are you in? 8th (Almost 9th)
Where do you attend school? Carolina International School
What sport(s) do you play? Weightlifting, would like to start boxing
Why did you first choose your sport? The idea of traveling the country to compete
Why do you continue to play your sport? It’s fun, and my dad probably won’t let me
quit
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be? Gold medal
sweep at nationals
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you? 8.9/9.9
What is your favorite sports quote? I don’t know any
What emotions do you feel when you play well? Accomplishment
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing? No specific song, normally
whatever I can find
What is your favorite movie about sports? Remember the Titans
How does being an athlete make you a better person? A great way of learning
sportsmanship, and physical improvement
What is the one thing you always do after a good performance? Eat
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete? Talk to my dad and
teammates
If you could play another sport what would it be? Boxing
What age were you when you started your sport? Around 10-11
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition? Any protein
Who inspired you as a young athlete? My Dad
What one word describes you? What
Who was your favorite coach and why? My dad. He’s my dad.
What do you give up to play sports? Homework time
What is your favorite place to compete? HWC
What mental tool do you use under pressure? Music, Friends
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? Confidence
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good? It inspires me to constantly
improve myself physically and mentally.
How does athletics make you a better student or worker? The need for improvement
affects all aspects of my life
Athlete Spotlight - Holly Zipperstein
What is your name? Holly Zipperstein
How old are you? 29
What is your occupation(if applicable)? Senior Enterprise Risk Analyst
What grade are you in(if applicable)? If only. Thanks for making me feel old.
Where do you attend school(if applicable) See above
What sport(s) do you play? Weightlifting
Why did you first choose your sport? I loved the movements, the detail and precision required to master (still a work in progress) them.
Why do you continue to play your sport? I’m a glutton for punishment. Kidding, sort of. I do it to challenge myself, use it as an outlet for work/life stress, and to stay healthy and strong. I feel empowered by lifting from the strength, both physical and mental, it gives me.
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be? Going 6/6 would be pretty sweet.
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you? I’m at more of a “finding balance” stage in my life. While they are important to me and I need them to maintain direction, they’re more of a tool for me now. If I don’t achieve them, I learn from them.
What is your favorite sports quote? “If riding were only blue ribbons and bright lights, I would have quit a long time ago.”-George Morris
What emotions do you feel when you play well? “I get all jacked up on Mountain Dew”-Talladega Nights. (Excitement & joy)
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing? I don’t really listen to music when I compete. It would probably be “Medusa” by Dirty Heads if I did. Or something by Jackson Brown if I felt I needed to calm my nerves more.
What is your favorite movie about sports? The original Bad News Bears.
How does being an athlete make you a better person? Sports humble you, teach you compassion, teamwork, and accountability.
What is the one thing you always do after a good performance? Train harder.
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete? Breathe, concentrate, and envision the lift.
If you could play another sport what would it be? I’d love to return to my first sport, show jumping (equestrian). Or hockey if you’re referring to something I haven’t done before.
What age were you when you started your sport? 21
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition? This is a trap. I’m usually cutting for meets…
Who inspired you as a young athlete? My equestrian trainer had a huge impact on who I am today.
What one word describes you? Assiduous
Who was your favorite coach and why? Dan. Because “Dan’s” are just the best.
What do you give up to play sports? I wouldn’t say I give up anything with the exception of leading up to a meet… Then I’d say ice cream. And salt.
What is your favorite place to compete? Anywhere the rest of the HWC team is.
What mental tool do you use under pressure? Breathing strategies
What is your favorite mantra? “You can do this. Breathe. Be Patient.”
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? Absolutely
What image gets you ready to compete? I’m more of a word person.
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good? The feeling of accomplishment from succeeding drives and motivates you to do better.
How does athletics make you a better student or worker? There are so many ways… If I had to choose one, I’d say learning that failure is temporary. You can always recover and come back. Learn from it and do it again… but better.
Women in Weightlifting - Holly's Story
I’ve been involved in weightlifting, or some type of strength training, for roughly eight years now. When I started my journey, I was insecure, on a mission to lose weight, and lost in what I wanted from life. Now, I’m a confident, self-assured, strong individual and am happier with who I am and where I am at in life than I ever thought possible.
Weightlifting has made me stronger than I’ve ever been in every way. It is a strategic sport that requires patience, relentlessness, determination, perseverance, and confidence. Learn these attributes for the sport and you can carry them into every aspect of your life. I won’t sugar coat it; you’re going to work harder than you ever have, and grind more than you knew you could-and let’s be honest, probably more than you wanted to. But in the end, you will be stronger, both physically and mentally, and have a sense of accomplishment, pride, and confidence in yourself. .
Though it sounds cliché, weightlifting truly has changed my life and who I am. From uplifting my roots in California, moving across the country to North Carolina, and back, I’ve endured and enjoyed experiences I never saw possible for myself. I’ve learned hard lessons, especially regarding people and friendship, and simultaneously realized how truly special some people are. Dan and Yashi Rose, along with the people that make up the Harrisburg Weightlifting Club, are some of the most special people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.
Though my journey has been 8 years long, the most impactful changes have come in the years I’ve been with Dan, even though I’ve been a remote athlete for roughly 90% of it. A lot of coaches out there can make you strong, Dan is no exception, but he has a lot of experience on his side that might give you more of an edge. His programming is more challenging than any programming I had experienced which has allowed me to hit totals to qualify for national level meets. What really separates Dan from the rest though, is who he is as a person and how he treats his athletes. I reside over 2300 miles away and I still lean on Dan as a lifeline. He has stood in my corner when I doubted myself, both on the platform and in life. He’s been on the receiving end of a thousand-page emails, venting about personal issues, and been there to pull me aside before a national meet to reassure me that I belonged and deserved to be there. He tells me what I need to hear, pushes me to want to be and do better, and makes me feel like family. The entire crew is the same way. Everytime I come back or reunite at a meet, it's as if I am coming home and there is no better company.
Long story short- if you’re someone that struggles with having a purpose, depression, loneliness, insecurity, whatever it is that might ail you, or if you just want to be stronger, try picking up a bar-with the Harrisburg crew if you’re able to. You’ll be amazed how it will transform you. There will be times you doubt yourself- stick with it. Grind in silence and take one step at a time and or lean on your crew for some extra motivation.
Athlete Spotlight - Caden Viar
What is your name?
Caden Viar
How old are you?
15
What is your occupation?
Student
What grade are you in?
Freshman
Where do you attend school
West Cabarrus High School
What sport(s) do you play?
Weightlifting
Why did you first choose your sport?
My friend was doing it and I thought it would be fun
Why do you continue to play your sport?
Because I enjoy seeing myself get better and better
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be?
To become the very best as I can be
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you?
Very important
What is your favorite sports quote?
There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do. Derek Jeter
What emotions do you feel when you play well?
Happiness, perseverance, and determination
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing?
I’m not sure but anything hype
What is your favorite movie about sports?
Dodgeball
How does being an athlete make you a better person?
It makes me more determined to do other things and it teaches me my limits
What is the one thing you always do after a good performance?
Celebrate and reflect on what I did that time to do it again
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete?
To just do it
If you could play another sport what would it be?
Maybe wrestling or racing
What age were you when you started your sport?
13
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition?
Anything with a lot of protein
Who inspired you as a young athlete?
Dan and my parents
What one word describes you?
Determined
Who was your favorite coach and why?
I can’t pick a favorite coach, they all have a big impact on me
What do you give up to play sports?
My free time
What is your favorite place to compete?
Anywhere really
What mental tool do you use under pressure?
To just not think about it and to just get up and do it
What is your favorite mantra?
I create my own path and walk it with joy
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning?
Yes because if u have a bad attitude it brings you down and worsens your performance
What image gets you ready to compete?
A positive image
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good?
It makes me want to push myself to the limits and to do the best that I can do
How does athletics make you a better student or worker?
It makes me want to try my hardest and work my hardest
Athlete Spotlight - Emily Ireland
What is your name?
Emily Ireland
How old are you?
18
What grade are you in?
12th
Where do you attend school
Hickory Ridge High School
What sport(s) do you play?
Weightlifting and Volleyball
Why did you first choose your sport?
Because I went to a class with my mom when I was younger and I thought it was really cool.
Why do you continue to play your sport?
Because I like seeing how strong I can become
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be?
I am not really sure.
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you?
Pretty important, because it makes me feel good knowing that I can accomplish those things.
What is your favorite sports quote?
“A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.” - Mary Lou Retton
What emotions do you feel when you play well?
I feel accomplished and excited.
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing?
“American Wasteland” By nascar aloe
What is your favorite movie about sports?
Remember the Titans
How does being an athlete make you a better person?
Being an athlete has taught me that it is okay to fail as long as you get back up and try again.
What is the one thing you always do after a good performance?
I don’t really have a set thing. I just smile and feel accomplished.
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete?
I just think about the breakdown of the movements of the lift.
If you could play another sport what would it be?
I’ve always wanted to try boxing.
What age were you when you started your sport?
I started playing volleyball when I was 8 and I started weightlifting when I was 12.
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition?
A cheeseburger
Who inspired you as a young athlete?
I would have to say all the older girls I knew who I thought were really good.
What one word describes you?
Quiet
Who was your favorite coach and why?
I had a volleyball coach from 7th grade to 9th grade, she really helped me develop as a player and also taught me how to work hard for the things that I want.
What do you give up to play sports?
Hanging out with friends
What is your favorite place to compete?
At our home gym
What mental tool do you use under pressure?
I use imagery.
What is your favorite mantra?
You got this
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning?
Yes, if you don’t want to win you won’t
What image gets you ready to compete?
I feel like music helps me get more ready to compete.
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good?
It makes me want to share the joy that I have experienced from being an athlete with other people.
How does athletics make you a better student or worker?
It has shown me how to work hard and never give up.
Athlete Spotlight - Seth Laciano
What is your name?
Seth Laciano
How old are you?
13
What grade are you in?
7th
Where do you attend school?
Winkler Middle School
What sport(s) do you play?
I have played soccer and baseball but now my primary sport is Swim. I am also in Coach Michael’s PE class at Rose Performance.
Why did you first choose your sport?
I enjoy swimming because I can be with my friends and I was pretty good at Butterfly.
Why do you continue to play your sport?
I continue to enjoy being in the water and I am fortunate that my friends are also still swimming with me.
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be?
I would like to get better at breaststroke.
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you?
Medium
What emotions do you feel when you play well?
Excited
What is the one thing you always do after a good performance?
My favorite thing is to go out to eat with my family, I especially like loaded mashed potatoes.
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete?
Talking with friends help me relax best.
If you could play another sport, what would it be?
Flag football.
What age were you when you started your sport?
8 years old
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition?
Anything that fills me up!
Who inspired you as a young athlete?
Michael Phelps
What one word describes you?
Compassionate
Who was your favorite coach and why?
Coach Darcy was my first swim coach at Cabarrus Country Club. It was her kindness and her helping me learn how to improve at the areas of swim I struggled with.
What do you give up to play sports?
Electronics – video games, videos, TV
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning?
Yes, it is important to be focused on positive items
What image gets you ready to compete?
I do not have an image, instead I go blank.
How does athletics make you a better student or worker?
I can let any of my frustrations out during my swim workouts.
Coach Arline
This time of year is always hard. It is especially hard this year. This summer marks 30 years ago that I met my Coach, and first touched a real barbell. Today marks the 13th anniversary of his passing.
I was 15 when I first walked through the door if his home, into his home gym, picked up a barbell for the first time, and began the course of life that led us here today.
I owe everything to Jerry C Arline, Sr. Who I am today, what I’ve done with my life, my wife, my children, my career, this gym. Everything. Coach took a punk kid, and gave him an outlet into the world of fitness and weightlifting. The things he taught me, molded me and shaped me into the person I am today. Coach was a big guy, full of life, with a passion for the greatest sport I know. He was the most generous person I have ever known, and his influence on me saved my life, literally. My life would have taken a very different path had it not been for me not wanting to disappoint Coach. He is a shining example of how touching the life of 1 person has the ability to (hopefully) change the lives of countless others.
Coach was taken away from us far too soon, before I could really thank him for what he did for me, and before he could see what his influence has been able to do for others. Not a day goes by that I don’t walk into this gym and think of him. My ultimate goal, with what little knowledge I have, is to have the same influence on someone else that he had on me.
Coach, today, on the anniversary of your passing, I have the opportunity to honor your legacy by coaching another teenager at a Weightlifting competition. Yesterday, I had a training session with my two youngest sons. 2 Days ago I got to coach my middle son, and his friends and teammates in a nationwide virtual competition. Over the past 8 years, I’ve watched all 3 of my sons, and my wife, compete in the sport that you introduced me to all those years ago. If only I could do it as well as you did. If only I could be to someone else what you were to me. If only you could still be around to see what your selflessness has done.
This group of coaches pictured beside you are here today, because of you. So many amazing people are part of my life today, because of you.
Thank you, Coach, for everything. I will cherish forever the time you invested in my life. It was not a waste. I will remember forever our training sessions, our long drives to competitions, and the countless hours of watching old weightlifting videos. I miss you.
Athlete Spotlight - Adda Prescott
What is your name? Adda Prescott
How old are you? 17
What grade are you in and school?Junior at Mount Pleasant High School
What sports do you play? I play softball and volleyball
Why did you first choose your sport? I never chose to play softball I was always around it growing up since my dad coached it
Why do you continue to play your sport? I would like to play softball in college so I continue to work hard to reach that goal
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be? Playing collegiate softball.
How important is achieving your sporting goal to you? Playing college softball has always been something I wanted to do so achieving that goal would be a huge accomplishment for myself.
What is your favorite sports quote? “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”- Derek Jeter
What emotions do you feel when you play well? I feel confident and rewarded for all the hard work paying off.
What is your favorite movie about sports? The Perfect Game
How does being an athlete make you a better person? Being an athlete creates relationships and interaction with the people on my team, this feeds into interacting with people in the real world.
What is the one thing you always do after a good performance? In a game when I do something good it hypes me up so then I get everyone else on the team hyped up and bring up the energy
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete? I always take deep breaths clear my mind so that I am not thinking too much about what I am doing
If you could play another sport what would it be? Golf
What age were you when you started your sport? 4
Who inspired you as a young athlete? My dad
What one word describes you? hardworking
What do you give up to play sports? I don’t feel like I am giving up anything because playing sports I am doing what I love to do and I get to be with my family who always come to support and watch me play.
What is your favorite place to compete? On the diamond
What mental tool do you use under pressure? Focusing mentally
What is your favorite mantra? If it was easy everyone would do it
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? Yes because having a bad attitude creates negative energy throughout the team and that bad energy can be contagious. If you want to win it is important to be positive and have a good attitude.
What image gets you ready to compete? The adrenaline rush you get from a solid hit
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good? Setting an example for others by working my hardest
How does athletics make you a better student or worker? Playing sports helps motivates me to get my work done and have good time management skills so that I can play the sport I love.
Athlete Spotlight - Brandon Sheets
● What is your name?
My name is Brandon Sheets
● How old are you?
I am 17 years old
● What grade are you in?
I am a senior
● Where do you attend school?
Bradford Preparatory School
● What sport(s) do you play?
Just weightlifting and wrestling but I have done soccer, cross-country, and basketball in the past.
● Why did you first choose your sport?
It was something new that I hadn't heard of before.
● Why do you continue to play your sport?
It is like therapy to me, whenever I walk in the gym I forget about my problems for an hour.
● If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be?
Compete internationally and win lots of medals
● How important is achieving your sporting goals to you?
It is imperative that I reach my goals because I wouldn't get anywhere without them.
● What is your favorite sports quote?
“To see a man beaten not by a better opponent, but by himself is a tragedy.”
-Cus D'Amato
● What emotions do you feel when you play well?
I feel unstoppable
● What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing?
Clique by Kanye West
● What is your favorite movie about sports?
Happy Gilmore
● How does being an athlete make you a better person?
It keeps my mind in-check, gives me self-discipline and keeps me motivated.
● What is the one thing you always do after a good performance?
Eat a big meal
● What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete?
I drown everything out and focus on nothing but the lift. I make it my sole purpose.
● If you could play another sport what would it be?
I would play ice hockey
● What age were you when you started your sport?
12 years old
● What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition?
A giant ribeye
● Who inspired you as a young athlete?
Mike Tyson
● What one word describes you?
determined
● Who was your favorite coach and why?
Daniel Rose of course.
● What do you give up to play sports?
Lots of time and energy
● What is your favorite place to compete?
Anywhere with a bar and platform
● What mental tool do you use under pressure?
I try to forget
● What is your favorite mantra?
“Right here, right now”
● Do you think attitude is a factor in winning?
Definitely, I think it is the most important factor
Athlete Spotlight - Ashlee Owens
What is your name? Ashlee
How old are you? 20
What grade are you in? College Senior
Where do you attend school? Western Carolina University
What sport(s) do you play? Soccer and Weightlifting
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be? Play soccer professionally overseas
What is your favorite sports quote? You have to expect things from yourself before you can do them. -Michael Jordan
What is your favorite movie about sports? Remember the Titans
How does being an athlete make you a better person? It teaches me to work hard and earn everything. It’s also taught me how to be a leader
If you could play another sport what would it be? Basketball
What age were you when you started your sport? 3
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition? Pasta and chicken
Who inspired you as a young athlete? Tim Howard
What one word describes you? Hardworking
What do you give up to play sports? A lot of my social life
What is your favorite place to compete? College Stadiums
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? Yes, because you have to make yourself believe you’re going to win and be the best before you can do anything else.
How does athletics make you a better student or worker? It helps me manage my time between sport, school, and social life. It has also helped me develop leadership skills
Athlete Spotlight - Bryson Duncan
What is your name? Bryson Duncan
How old are you? 14
What grade are you in(if applicable)? 9th
Where do you attend school(if applicable) West Cabarrus High School
What sport(s) do you play? Baseball and weightlifting
Why did you first choose your sport? My older brother played baseball.
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be? To play for the Yankees.
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you? Very important because it is a feeling of accomplishment.
What is your favorite sports quote? I love it when people doubt me. It makes me work harder to prove them wrong. -Derek Jeter
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing? 21 by Polo-G
How does being an athlete make you a better person? It is a team sport so you have to be able to work with other players and coaches.
If you could play another sport what would it be? Basketball
What age were you when you started your sport? 4
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition? Grilled chicken
Who inspired you as a young athlete? Derek Jeter
What one word describes you? Determined
Who was your favorite coach and why? Coach Key-middle school baseball coach. He believed in me and challenged me to play different positions.
What do you give up to play sports? Time hanging out with friends
What is your favorite place to compete? Any baseball field
What is your favorite mantra? Never Give Up
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? Yes, if you don’t have a good attitude you will not perform well.
How does athletics make you a better student or worker? It forces me to manage my time to get things done.
Athlete Spotlight - Aria Bremner
•Name: Aria Bremner @ariabremner
•What do you do for work? I own my own social media marketing business @buzzedsocialco
•What sport do you play? Weightlifting and I was a cheerleader back in the day
•Why do you continue to play your sports? It keeps me healthy, gives me structure in my day, and I couldn’t imagine not doing it
•What are your goals? I’d love to hit some lifting numbers I’ve been chasing as well as grow my business exponentially
•What is your favorite sports quote?
“It never gets easier, you just get better”
•How does being an athlete make you a better person? It teaches me self-discipline, time management, perseverance, and lots of skills I can use as a coach
•What is your favorite food to eat before a big competition? Have to have my Dunkin’ iced coffee
•What is one word that describes you? Passionate
•What is your favorite place to compete? I really love local competitions because I get to spend the day with my teammates
•What is your favorite song to listen to before competing? Anything Justin Bieber or Post Malone
Athlete Spotlight - Tyler Russin
What is your name? Tyler Russin
How old are you? 13
What is your occupation (if applicable)?
What grade are you in (if applicable)? 7th
Where do you attend school (if applicable) Hickory Ridge Middle School
What sport(s) do you play? Soccer and Weightlifting
Why did you first choose your sport? I started soccer early because I thought it was fun. I saw my cousins enjoy weightlifting and I wanted to do it too.
Why do you continue to play your sport? It drives me to be a better person
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be? Medal at Youth Nationals
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you? Very Important
What is your favorite sports quote? “Practice like you’ve never won, play like you’ve never lost” -Michael Jordan
What emotions do you feel when you play well? Happy and proud
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing?
What is your favorite movie about sports? Rocky IV
How does being an athlete make you a better person? It helps me focus on my goals
What is the one thing you always do after a good performance? Eat a good meal
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete? Envision positive thoughts
If you could play another sport what would it be? Football
What age were you when you started your sport? Soccer (3) Weightlifting (10)
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition? Starbucks Chocolate Frappe
Who inspired you as a young athlete? Kobe Bryant
What one word describes you? Easygoing
Who was your favorite coach and why? Hard question but I have 3: Brian Jones, James McCulloch and Dan Rose. They’ve pushed me to compete hard in and out of competition.
What do you give up to play sports? Free time
What is your favorite place to compete? On a big platform
What mental tool do you use under pressure? Just try to envision success
What is your favorite mantra? Try not to suck
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? Yes
What image gets you ready to compete?
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good? It makes me want to be the best
How does athletics make you a better student or worker? It helps me to be organized and focus on the task at hand
Athlete Spotlight - Jessica Lineberry
What is your name? Jessica Lineberry
How old are you? 34
What is your occupation(if applicable)? Attorney
What sport(s) do you play? Weightlifting
Why did you first choose your sport? I started in Crossfit, and started training the Olympic lifts to be better at the aspect of Crossfit, but eventually loved weightlifting more and dropped Crossfit to exclusively train weightlifting
Why do you continue to play your sport? Because I love it (even if it doesn’t always love me back lol)
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be? Be the oldest person to set records and win titles in the senior division
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you? Very – I decided 2 years ago if I was going to do it, and I needed to go all in and go for it – and that’s what I have done; I have dedicated a significant portion of my life to obtaining these goals
What is your favorite sports quote? Not really a sports quote, but “everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die”
What emotions do you feel when you play well? A sense of accomplishment and motivated
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing? Depends, my hype music changes – but lately various Eminem, DMX, and Kendrik Lamar
What is your favorite movie about sports? Remember the Titans
What is the one thing you always do after a good performance? Have a cheat meal
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete? I envision myself making the lift several times before I take my attempt – then its like I’ve already made it several times before so now its routine in my mind
If you could play another sport what would it be? Not a sport, but if I wasn’t weightlifting I’d train my aerial full time (specifically, the lyra aka aerial hoop is my apparatus). I still occasionally train aerial, but it has to back seat for a few years while I hit my weightlifting goals.
What age were you when you started your sport? 32 I think when I switched to full time
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition? Depends what my weight it is – if I’m well within making weight I’ll eat a high carb meal , usually a huge plate of lo mean ; If I’m close and need to keep sodium close to 0 , I’ll still eat high carb but its usually a large plain baked potato and plain ground beef mixed in it ( or some high carb low sodium meal for dinner)
What one word describes you? Determined
What do you give up to play sports? A normal social life – between training and recovery, I really only go to the gym and work (thought I primarily work from home so I can multitask these things 😊 ) ; When I’m not at they gym I have to be focused on recovery, so I can’t go out late nights (because lots of sleep needed and I avoid alcohol) or eat out a lot because of my fairly strict nutrition plan
What mental tool do you use under pressure? Envisioning myself accomplishing what I need to do
What is your favorite mantra? There is no plan B, only plan A so you are going to have to make this happen
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? Absolutely
What image gets you ready to compete? Making the lift and winning
