Here at West, winter sports are scarce. Coach Goerl is here to change that by bringing back powerlifting next school year. Students are interested in joining and Coach Goerl wants the competition to be available again for athletes.
The first powerlifting team at West started in 2018. The original coaches were Coach Goerl, Coach Samuel Palm and Coach Madeline Janorschke.
“The reason I originally decided to coach it [powerlifting] is because I wanted to give kids another way to compete in the winter,” Goerl said. “Sports are limited in the winter season; powerlifting gave them another opportunity.”
The team stopped in 2022 for many different reasons, but the main reason was because it became too much for Coach Goerl at the time. Coach Palm had to stop coaching powerlifting to be the head coach of the bowling team and the long meets became too time consuming for Coach Goerl.
Many students have voiced their opinions about having a powerlifting team at West and the popularity is there. Football Coach Jon Wiemers has graciously offered to help the team and Coach Goerl is hoping Coach Janorschke and Coach Eric Burrow will be interested in helping as well.
Coach Goerl values technique in the weight room; therefore, if you are already enrolled in a lifting class, that counts as practice. Practice with Coach Goerl will cover clean techniques and step-by-step instructions on how to lift safely and efficiently. He will also teach athletes how to use the correct technique in the squat and bench for a proper lift.
“My goals for the team are for the athletes to compete, learn, have fun and potentially win a state title,” Goerl said. “Hopefully, in five years, we will have one of the largest teams in the state.”
Anyone is welcome to the team. Coach Goerl emphasizes that no matter if you love lifting, or want to get involved in lifting, this team is open to all.
“It’s a fun environment,” Goerl said. “While you are competing against other schools, you see the same faces at every meet and end up making friends. Everyone cheers and supports everyone from one school to the other.”
Coach Goerl is looking for athletes to join this winter. He will most likely hold an informational meeting in the fall for those interested. If you are looking for a winter sport, powerlifting may be the place for you.
