Wyle Potter, a senior this year, is nationally ranked in the American Powerlifting Association (APA). He is currently ranked second in the raw powerlifting division in the APA. The division is for those who do not use gloves, or any other item that could help the lifter. He competed in the 175-181lb weight class. The APA is a weight lifting organization where people who have a passion for lifting can join and compete with others that share the same interest. This sport requires technique and strength to be successful in it. Potter did better than most competitors during his last meet.

Potter stated, “I worked [-out hard] everyday.” Potter is in the weight room getting stronger all the time. He doesn’t go a day without working out at least once, sometimes twice. His exact numbers for each category are as follows: Bench- 315 lbs, Squat- 440 lbs, Deadlift- 455 lbs.  Deadlift, a lift not as well known, is a lift where you bend down whilst keeping your back straightened, and lifting the weight to knee level and then releasing the bar from your grip. However, Potter’s hard work doesn’t end in the weight room. A large part of what he does is in his diet. He says that he doesn’t drink soda and eats little junk food. Also, he drinks a lot of muscle milk which is full of protein.

Potter lifts to keep in shape, but its more than just that. Although that’s a big part of it, there’s more to the sport than that for him. He enjoys it and thinks that lifting weights is fun. He also likes the fact that it keeps him active and gives him something to work at. Potter says that if he keeps his GPA at a 2.5 or higher then he will get a full ride scholarship for powerlifting at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. Potter will continue to lift for the remainder of his time at Fair Grove High School and hopefully will get the opportunity to carry on his passion at Lindenwood next fall.