At GHS, the powerlifting team is quietly making a name for itself. Often overshadowed by other winter sports, these athletes continue to prove that powerlifting isn’t just about lifting weights—it’s about pushing limits, supporting each other and embracing the grind. At the forefront of this team are the captains whose leadership fuels the team’s determination.
This year, the team has ten new captains: Caitlyn Cheleen, Sydney Malone, Emma Hermeling, Andi Yost, Sophie Gibbons, Alex Gibbons, Gavin Buffington, Beau Smith, Ethan Owen and Breckin Sliva.
“I’m really happy, because I’m a sophomore, and I really like helping other people and being like a role model. So I’m really happy that I got chosen,” Yost said.
In years past, captains were selected based on seniority, but with only one senior on the team this year, the coaching staff had to look elsewhere. Out of the 70 lifters, they carefully chose athletes who demonstrated leadership both inside and outside the gym.
“We looked at students who have years of experience on the team,” Co-head Coach Alise Pape said. “Like, who has been members of the team, who have competed before, built a platform before, so they have leadership experience that way. We looked at people who we felt like were leaders inside and outside of the weight room, so with a good character, people who are willing to help other people in the weight room. Just people who we felt like were positive overall and good role models, especially for younger teams.”
With a roster of 70 athletes, the team has seven coaches, including Pape and Jacob Myers as co-head coaches, along with several assistant coaches and volunteers. The captains play a crucial role in motivating their teammates, as powerlifting is not only physically demanding but mentally challenging as well. Their encouragement helps push everyone to meet their goals.
“For the team, I think it would be great to place at State,” Owen said. “But overall, I just think it’d be awesome if everybody can hit their own goals this year at state, and just that everyone can grow stronger together as a team. And that we can come back next year even better than this year and still end this year strong.”
For the captains, powerlifting is a chance to lead by example and inspire their teammates to push through obstacles. As natural leaders, they help create an environment where hard work and perseverance are valued, and where each lifter’s personal growth is just as important as the team’s success.
“But my favorite part, it’s really hard to pick one favorite, but I think it would be just the confidence that I see my athletes develop over the season as they get stronger and start to believe in themselves and feel like they’re capable of lifting more weight,” Pape said. “That confidence translates to other parts of their lives. So just seeing them make that progress and grow into who they are as young adults, young athletes, young powerlifters is so cool to watch. So I love that.”
Last year, the Gretna Powerlifting team made history by hosting their first meet in the Gretna High gym. The meet was labeled as a Junior Varsityevent and featured a many lifters competing for the first time. About 120 lifters competed from schools all across Nebraska.
“We ran three platforms, and we had five different schools at the meet,” Pape said. “So this year, I’m thinking we’re going to have anywhere from 100 to 120 lifters again.”
The meet this year will take place on Feb. 8 and should last for the majority of that Saturday. The team is hoping to replicate the success of the first meet, which was mostly due to the hard work of the coaches and the staff.
“I think what made it so successful was the dedication of our team,” Pape said. “They worked the meet the entire day. We had our team help tear down, and they were just there with whatever sort of task we needed.”
This year, every member of the team who does not plan on competing is going to pitch in and help. Jobs consist of loading and unloading weights, spotting the lifters, helping the judges when needed and working together to set up the meet the night before. The varsity team is willing to go above and beyond to ensure that this meet runs without flaws.
“I think that the meet will run smoothly this year,” junior Lainey Johnson said. “Pape will do a great job again this year.”
The Gretna meet will be the best chance for powerlifting students to compete for the first time. While standing on the platform and preparing to lift the weight can be daunting, the Gretna meet is a great opportunity for these lifters to gain confidence in themselves and feel the support from their teammates.
“It did,” Johnson said when asked if the Gretna meet last year had helped her become more confident. “I really figured out what to do and just getting up on the platform for the first time made me a lot more comfortable.”
As the meet date approaches quickly, the lifters competing this year are preparing themselves both physically and mentally. Both an air of excitement and nervousness fill the weight room during the final few practices..
“I’m looking forward to trying it for the first time,” sophomore Haleigh Kobielush said. “I’m really nervous, though.”
