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Powerlifter throws his weight around

Staff writer

Marion senior weightlifter Quade Williams set two state records Saturday at a Class 1A state powerlifting tournament in Conway Springs.

Quade medaled in squat, bench, hang clean, and overall while setting new records in the squat and hang clean competition.

He squat-lifted more than a quarter of a ton. Lifting 520 pounds, he bested the previous record by 35 pounds.

His record-setting hang-clean lift was 375 pounds, topping the previous record of 285 by 90 pounds.

“That was the best hang clean recorded in state meets for all classes for this year,” coach Shaun Craft said.

Quade wasn’t surprised to set a hang-clean record because last summer he was lifting 315 pounds.

“I was pretty confident in that,” he said.

Breaking the squats record was another matter. That experience was emotional for him because he wasn’t expecting to break a record his first year at the tournament.

“This is a huge personal accomplishment,” Quade’s mother, Vicki Kay Williams, said.

Craft noted that Quade also was a member of the football team.

“He started weightlifting as a freshman, and the last couple of years, he’s gotten more serious about it, mostly for football,” Craft said. “He has the potential there to do some good things. He put on a good show Saturday and threw a lot of weight around.”

Watching strongman competition videos on social media gave Quade the idea to start weightlifting. He has taken weightlifting more seriously these past two years.

He found motivation from relatives and friends but especially from his grandfather.

“He was a big supporter of me,” Quade said.

Quade’s grandfather watched him while Vicki Kay and her husband worked from the time Quade was 8 months old.

Quade is contemplating going to Ottawa University to be in its powerlifting program.

“A while back, I looked at McPherson College,” he said.

“They really wanted him to play football,” his mother said.

“I just wasn’t feeling it anymore,” Quade said.

“He likes football, but he doesn’t live for it,” Vicki Kay said.

Craft, who teaches weightlifting at Marion High School, took a handful of kids who wanted to compete to Saturday’s tournament.

Also traveling to Conway Springs were Brayden Hullett, Kallen Waner, Wyatt Soyez, Calleigh Soyez, Sophia Dye, and Gabbie Newell.

Brayden Hullett medaled for third place in clean, squat, and overall.

Sophia Dye placed fourth place in bench and medaled for sixth overall in her weight class.

Calleigh Soyez medaled for third in bench, squat, clean, and third overall.

Gabby Newell got a medal for third place in clean and fifth overall.

Quade said he wanted his teammates to know how much he appreciated the support they gave him at Saturday’s tournament.

The boys finished ninth among all 1A schools at the tournament. The girls finished 11th overall out of 24 teams.

Craft said more girls had taken an interest in powerlifting in recent years.

“There are a lot more girls becoming more involved with it,” he said.

Last modified March 29, 2023

 

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