Power was on display this weekend by the members of Team Dog Powerlifting representing Campbell River Special Olympics at the BC Powerlifting Fall Classic held Oct. 17 in Abbotsford.
Mickie Hildebrandt, competing for the first time, earned gold and established a new personal best record with a deadlift of 95 kgs. He was cheered on by both friends and family and supported by his teammates Tye Cranton and Callum Maclagan who helped Hildebrandt deal with the nerves of a new competitor.
They fed off each others’ energy as Cranton and Maclagan both smashed previous personal best lifts. In the deadlift, Cranton pulled 137.5 lbs off the floor and Maclagan benched 137.5 lb to become the youngest Special Olympic athlete in Canada to bench over 300 lbs.
“I have never been prouder as a coach than I am right now,” coach George Maclagan said. “Mickie, Tye and Callum represented Campbell River so well at this meet. They help each other and cheer every athlete at the tournament displaying a strong work ethic that is tempered with humility and good sportsmanship. They are as proud of their competitors as they are of themselves. It is a privilege to coach such fine men who work so hard at West Coast Muscle and Fitness to get better in such a physically and mentally demanding sport.”
And the work doesn’t end for this group. Cranton and Maclagan have been nominated to be part of the team that will represent Canada at the upcoming Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation Tournament to be held at the Olympic Oval at Richmond, B.C. Nov. 30 to Dec. 5.