Trinity’s Barbell Club, led by Mr. Walter Mata, is a meticulous group that focuses on becoming the strongest lifters they can be, all the while becoming a tightly knit group of companions. This group can be seen lifting weights late after school hours on Mondays and early before on Wednesdays, a testament to their dedication and commitment. According to Landen Blincoe, sophomore member of the club, “It forms a sense of connection between the club members, and it’s a fun and great experience for anyone at Trinity who wants to build those bonds.”
This past Saturday was the Kentucky State Push/Pull Championship. Seven athletes from Barbell Club participated. They did not fail to impress. Sophomore Ben Schulz and freshman Giovany Gomez-Ramirez both deadlifted an astonishing 405lbs. Sophomore Nathan Paxton (165lbs weight class) won the bench press competition with a hefty 215lbs closing lift.
Coach Mata said, “It is special for me because I get to see the progress that they make, and how happy are they are when they make that progress.” Barbell Club members are all relatively young, with a majority being sophomores and juniors, making for a promising future. Out of the seven lifters who attended the state meet, only two were upperclassmen. Coach Mata said, “These seven kids did amazing in that tournament… They’re going to be our leads next year and help us build into something even bigger than we have already.”
As the year goes on, the Barbell Club athletes will continue to train on their own in preparation for the beginning of the season next year. It is clear that this group is close-knit and means business, and willing to work hard to make things happen.
Check out photos from the event below.
