South Lyon East’s powerlifting team wrapped up its season with some of the strongest performances the program has seen in years. After months of early practices and meets the team finished the year with major improvements and 4 contenders qualifying for state finals.
The biggest highlight of the season came from lifters Nora Anulewicz, Catherine Schwegler, and Zac Varhol who competed at the Varsity State Championship Meet on Saturday March 7 at Lake Orion. Varhol ended up placing 7th. Additionally, Daniel Schlaff placed third at the JV State Championships.
Coaches said Varhol’s performance showed how much dedication and consistency can pay off. “This didn’t happen overnight,” Coach Robinson said, “Zac put in the work every single week, and it showed when it mattered most.”
The success wasn’t limited to just one athlete. Throughout the season, lifters across multiple weight classes continued to hit personal records in squat, bench press, and deadlift.
Team members say the competitive atmosphere made a big difference.
“Everyone pushes each other to do better,” Owen Waller said, “When you see your teammate hit a big lift, it makes you want to step up too and perform to the best level”.
That team energy helped South Lyon East stay competitive at every meet they attended this year. The team didn’t just focus on one lifter but rather focused on everyone. The season also required a lot of commitment. Between balancing schoolwork and strength lifting, lifters spent hours preparing each week to improve their form and build strength.
Early practices and long meet days tested athletes physically and mentally, but the results were even better then expected. With several experienced lifters expected to return next season and new athletes already showing interest in joining the program, the future looks bright for South Lyon East powerlifting.
Beyond the results and final standings, this season helped build a stronger feeling of identity and strength of the South Lyon East powerlifting program. Athletes didn’t just improve their totals on the platform but they developed discipline, patience, and responsibility in one another. Meets often lasted multiple hours requiring competitors to stay focused, and uphold their job. That experience brought the group closer and helped newer members learn from returning lifters.
Another key factor in the team’s success was preparation. Training sessions allowed newer liftings to get a grasp on good form and technique. Coaches consistently stressed safety, recovery, and goal-setting, helping athletes stay consistent throughout the season. This way of training allowed lifters to stay healthy all season.
The growing popularity of powerlifting at the school has also created excitement heading into next year. More students have shown interest in joining offseason workouts, and returning athletes are already setting goals for higher totals and stronger finishes. With momentum building and confidence at an all-time high, South Lyon East’s program continues to prove that consistent effort and teamwork can turn a good season into a memorable one.
