By Kirk Stewart
BRYANT, Ark. — The Power Lifting competition for Area 10 Special Olympics was held on Saturday, April 4, at the Bryant Fitness Zone. The competition consists of dead lift and bench press. The athletes receive a medal for each event capped off with another medal for total weight lifted combining bench press and dead lift.
Special Olympics’ Area 10 consists of Saline, Garland, Montgomery, Hot Spring, Pike and Clark counties in Arkansas. Competitors represented Bryant High School, Benton High School, Friendship Community Care and Civitan. Special Olympic athletes must be at least 16 years of age to compete in Power Lifting.
The event has been held at Bryant Fitness Zone the past five years. Owner Chris Kinzler provides a place for the athletes to train as well as hosting the competition.[more]
One particular athlete, Joshua Garland, trains with his father Jim 3 to 4 days a week. He typically does 20 minutes of cardio workout – either on a treadmill or bicycle. Then he moves down a Nautilus-type machine to begin the upper and lower body physical training. The workout concludes with Joshua working on free weights, focusing on bench press and/or dead lift as his dad spots him.
The Bryant Fitness Zone staff and patrons joined in to encourage, support and be impressed as Joshua worked toward the next Special Olympics event. It’s a two-way street, though. Joshua received a yard of encouragement but provided a mile of inspiration to all who watched him work out. The infectious smile and heart of gold powered his way through the Olympic competitions and into the hearts of all who know him. That’s the cornerstone of Special Olympics.
The awards were given to the athletes by the local law enforcement Lisa Wylie from Benton Police, Justin Stuart from the Saline Co. Sheriff Dept. and Paul Tarvin from the Bryant police Department. Nick Hoffman, Austin Nichols and Reese Moore volunteered to load the bars with the weights that were lifted.
These athletes competed so they can advance to the State Special Olympics competition that will be held in Searcy on May 21 – 23.
In the picture, front row (kneeling) from left, are Lloyd Rushing, Lyndsey Smith, Wesley McAllester, Josh Garland, Alan Brown, Cody Calhoun, Brooklyn Ables, Michael Braun, Keith Lertpenmaeta; second row, Jimmy Barnett, John Yates, Michael Hutchinson, Officer Lisa Wylie, Natalie Holladay, Rocky Jenkins, Brian Reese, Brandon Baker, Officer Justin Stuart; third row, Officer Paul Tarvin, Alan Hardman, William Riggins, Jasper Davis, Jon Kettles, Steven Upperman.
The Special Olympics Area Track and Field competition is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, at Bryant High School. School ages will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the adults will start at 1:30 p.m. If you would like to volunteer to help, contact Jennifer Grantham at 501-940-0696.
Thanks to Rene Prewett for the Power Lifting update.
A. J. Janssen
when is your next competition after the siloam springs sports camp?