Knightly News

Three days a week after school, a group of determined athletes can be found in the Field House weight room quietly lifting weights much heavier than their own body weight. These are not members of the Episcopal football, basketball or soccer teams. They are the Episcopal powerlifting team.

Head Coach Mark Harper says powerlifters come in all shapes and sizes and from a variety of backgrounds. “It’s kind of like gumbo,” he says, pointing out that over the years the eclectic group of students has included everyone from football players and valedictorians to females who simply want to get stronger. Regardless of their background, Harper has the same goal for everyone. “Our goal as a team is to become a close-knit unit that encourages, supports, and pushes one another to reach everyone’s potential,” he says.

According to Harper, powerlifting is the fastest-growing sport in the LHSAA. He says that in 2014, 72 schools competed, and in 2023 that number exploded to 170. The trend holds true at Episcopal, where there are now 46 athletes on the team.

A Community of Lifters

The reasons for joining the powerlifting team are as varied as the students themselves. Senior Lauren McGrath says she joined the team after participating in summer workouts for several years. “I realized how much I enjoyed lifting weights, and the environment was extremely friendly and supportive. One of the biggest surprises to me was that this supportiveness spanned beyond just the Episcopal weight room. I found that people from all different schools, came together to support each other because the sport is really about bettering yourself,” she says. Sophomore teammate Addison Reynolds agrees. “I believe the biggest benefit of powerlifting is the bonds you create with your teammates and the renewed physical and mental state as a result of my growth as a lifter.”

Multi-Sport Athletes See Benefits Beyond the Weight Room

“Powerlifting is a sport not only for offseason training but compliments ALL other sports when it comes to their respective seasons,” says Harper. This is true for sophomore football player Reid Chauvin. “I originally joined the powerlifting team as an aid for football,” he says. “I wanted to get stronger and get more experience with weightlifting to help me become a better athlete. I feel powerlifting grew on me very quickly and I look at it now as my primary sport along with football.” Lauren also noticed the difference powerlifting made in other sports. “I and many others on the team do other sports at Episcopal,” she says. “I can personally say that I have seen significant improvement since I began powerlifting.”

“I love working with teams,” says Coach Harper, who works with all Episcopal teams. In pre-season, he and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Wally Stevens help athletes work on sports-specific training. During the sports season, they work with students on maintenance. A good weight training program can help prevent injuries, boost explosiveness and maximize speed and agility. Watching athletes improve overall is one of the things Coach Harper enjoys most about coaching powerlifting. When a student reports earning more minutes or feeling more confident after an injury, Harper considers that a win.

The Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Weight Training

Coach Harper says contrary to what some may think, females do not gain weight as part of a weight training program. He says most people actually lose weight. “They’re getting leaner, stronger and improving their self-confidence,” he says of the health benefits. That focus on health often inspires students to try the sport. “I believe in getting into the habit of constantly wanting to personally improve as well as staying in control of your health by consistently working even when you’re tired,” says Addison. “You set yourself up for a future where you are capable of maintaining a healthy mentality that’s focused on health as well as personal growth.”

Cam has experienced an increase in strength and mental toughness. “It has also really helped me to develop a stronger work ethic,” he says. “It has taught me that if you put your head down and work you will see success and that has translated to many other aspects of my life.”

“The biggest benefit from powerlifting would definitely be the sense of accomplishment,” says Reid. “Powerlifting is a very rewarding sport, there is nothing better than hitting a new pr (personal record) on a lift because you know for a fact that you have improved yourself and have become stronger.”

A Peek into Powerlifting

Powerlifters focus on three lifts, including the squat, bench press and deadlift. Lifters get three attempts at each, and the best lift of each is combined for a total. “Powerlifting is both an individual sport as well as a team sport,” says Harper. When watching a powerlifting practice, you get a sense of the support and camaraderie that the athletes appreciate. Students work out together, offering suggestions on the appropriate form, and coaches quickly respond to questions and provide safety tips. Because they’ve trained together, athletes are not intimidated, even when facing a bar holding significant weight.

With a focus on safety and proper technique, the Episcopal powerlifting program makes a lasting impression on athletes. “One of the most important things powerlifting has taught me is how to be comfortable in the gym,” says Lauren. “Powerlifting is largely about technique, so not only am I able to be confident in the gym, but I am also able to lift weights correctly and safely.” “It teaches you to be courageous because gaining strength is not linear along with many other things in life,” says Reid.

Congratulations to the Episcopal powerlifters! The current athletes are breaking long-held Episcopal records and placing well at local and regional meets. It will be exciting to see how the program continues to flourish.

Join us in supporting the Episcopal powerlifters. See below for upcoming events.

February 18th - Girls Regional Meet

February 25th - Boys Regional Meet

March 25th - State Meet 

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.