Four Special Olympics athletes qualify for Ohio powerlifting championship
Four Special Olympics athletes have defied the odds by qualifying for the Ohio powerlifting championship this weekend.
"Seeing these athletes, getting to see them every week. They have every excuse not to be here really motivates me," said head coach Zach Privette.
Privette has been training Special Olympics athletes for four years and started this team in February. The team is composed of four athletes who compete in the three major lifts in powerlifting: squat, deadlift, and bench press.
"My favorite part of doing powerlifting is the deadlift. And, you know, being able to like pull the amount," said 19-year-old Sean Allen.
Allen has been powerlifting since February and is ready for his first state competition.
"I've been able to pull 226 pounds on deadlift. I've been able to do 95 on bench," he added.
But for these athletes, powerlifting is about more than just physical strength.
"There's no barrier at all. If you have any physical disabilities, there's ways to work around that. Forget mental disabilities. That's no big deal at all. We work with everybody. Everybody finds a way to compete," Privette said.
For Privette, coaching these athletes has been the highlight of his career.
"It's a big part of my life. So just seeing them succeed and move on and just seeing how much fun they have, it's a really cool thing to see," he said.
Privette hopes that this state-bound team can teach us all something about pushing past our limits.
"You know, these kids have every reason not to be here. And still they show up every week," he said.
One of the athletes had a message for those who might be struggling.
"I would tell them that it's all right. You'll get better over time if you fail the first time," he said.
The powerlifting state championship will take place this weekend (June 28-30) in Columbus.