Andy Close
Mike Vanatta has had quite the debut in powerlifting.
The Eisenhower senior-to-be had his first competition this past Saturday, taking first in his division in the deadlift at 460 pounds.
It’s something that has come naturally to Vanatta, who is also a standout on the Eisenhower football team.
“I started lifting back in seventh grade,” Vanatta said. “Coach (Jim) Penley always talked to us about how we should get in the weight room.
It started at just lifting for football, but has evolved into something more.
“At first, no (I didn’t think about it), but I started to get better and this year (his junior year) I decided to not do track and focus more on powerlifting.”
It all starts with routine for Vanatta.
“I go to my gym for powerlifting twice a week,” he said. “On Saturday’s I do arm workouts. We rotate through a bunch of different arm workouts. There are different workouts from week to week. Sunday I usually do leg workouts.”
All his hard work culminated with his performance at the competition at the S&C Powerplant Gym in Warren on Saturday.
“It was fun, it was a good experience and the atmosphere was really good,” Vanatta said. “There are eight age ratings and weight rankings.”
Vanatta competed in the teen division in the bench press and deadlift.
“I was kind of expecting to do pretty well,” he said. “I felt good on my deadlift from my leg workouts. On my bench, I should have probably gone down to 255, but I was feeling confident. My deadlift, my third lift was 460 and since I was able to do so well I got a fourth one, but that one didn’t count.”
And, while it’s everyone is competing to win, there is a genuine camaraderie among the lifters.
“It’s a great atmosphere to be in,” noted Vanatta. “I was a little nervous at first, but once I started it felt just kind of like a hang-out spot.”
His next competition will be on Nov. 1, but he’s not quite sure where that one will be at.
For now, he’s just going to keep working hard and enjoy the ride.
“I’m always working all the different muscles that I need to be,” he said. “There’s really not a worry (about competing). No one’s going to judge you and everybody is always supportive. You just find lifts you enjoy.”
