And They’re Off! Records fall at Charger Regional

Records fell at the 2023 Charger Regional, which officially kicked off the Illinois High School Powerlifting Association (IHSPLA) season on February 28th at Stagg High School in Palos Hills. Brian Buglio (Meet Director) hosted one of the largest meets in regional competition. More than 100 lifters from Lockport, Marist, Romeoville, Sandburg, and Stagg High Schools competed in the annual Charger Regional.

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IHSPLA History & the Tiger Regional

By Jim Davis, Ed.M., MA, RSCC*D I was sitting in a folding chair in the basement of the YMCA in Niles, Illinois. 23 at the time, I’d been powerlifting alongside my football career. Strength played a major role in my life and it was now a competitive sport for me. I trained hard for this…

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NSCA Adds High School Track to National Conference

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is the hub of strength and conditioning in the United States. Founded in 1978, the NSCA is home to more than 60,000 members and certified coaches. S&C continues to expand. There are nearly 27,000 high schools in the United States. Strength programs, and strength coaches, are being added daily. The need is clear.

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Toss the Trophies (from Bedrock Edu.)

Wait. Don’t toss the trophy… The title is a misnomer. Trophies are awesome. Goals are essential and when they are accomplished, they should be celebrated. In sports, it comes in the form of a trophy or a ring, in business it might be a bonus or promotion. Celebrate the milestones, you’ve earned it. When the celebration is over, take time to frame the experience. That is, tell the story of what just happened. Work to understand the process that led to the outcome and find joy in that process.

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Westtown Throwdown

By Chris Dertz On Saturday, December 10th, over 50 high school students representing five area schools gathered at Golder College Prep in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood for a powerlifting meet. Golder College Prep, the newest member school of the Illinois High School Powerlifting Association (IHSPLA), hosted the aptly named Westtown Throwdown. Coach Martin Quiroga, the…

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IHSPLA State Meet and Diaper Drive

On Saturday, May 28th, more than 200 student-athletes representing 20 Chicago-area high schools gathered at New Trier High School in Northfield for the Illinois High School Powerlifting Association’s (IHSPLA) 2022 State Meet. The State Meet is the culminating event of the IHSPLA powerlifting season. During the 2021-2022 season, regional meets were held at several high school campuses. The top performing teams then received bids to send lifters to compete at the state meet.

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Empowered by Powerlifting at NASA Nationals

The ballroom was full of sweat, AC/DC, and chalk dust. Athletes from around the country had come to Oklahoma City to compete on a national stage. NASA (Natural Athlete Strength Association) was hosting its annual High School Nationals competition, there were strong athletes everywhere… for two young girls, powerlifting has given them so much more than physical strength.

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Gravity Defied at IHSPLA Warrior Regional

Spectators and competitors moved in unison to the middle of the McHenry Community High School Upper campus weight room. Logyn Frappoly, a McHenry senior, took her place under a barbell; a barbell that was loaded with 365lbs. This would be Logyn’s 3rd and final squat attempt at the Warrior Regional Powerlifting Meet. A successful lift would give Logyn a perfect 3/3 on her squat attempts. Even more importantly, a good lift would earn Logyn yet another spot in the Illinois High School Powerlifting Association’s (IHSPLA) record book as the heaviest squat ever completed by a female lifter in the 181lbs weight class. The crowd was mostly quiet as Logyn shouldered the load. As soon as she unracked the weight, cheers filled the weight room as teammates, competitors, and spectators yelled and screamed encouragement. She began her descent

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The Gathering of the Iron Tribes Begins…

2022 IHSPLA Season Kicks Off at the Charger Regional Author: Chris Dertz On Saturday, February 26th, the first meet of the 2022 Illinois High School Powerlifting Association (IHSPLA) season commenced on the campus of Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Illinois. Representing the IHSPLA’s South Suburban Region, powerlifters from Sandburg, Romeoville, Marist, and…

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Everybody, Move!!

at the end of the day. Movement, as Caroline Williams explains, should be an essential component of our lives.

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