Raising the bar, literally

BY HANNAH BROOKS

Multimedia Journalist

The Powerlifting Club is back and better than ever, making it the newest addition to Tarleton State University’s sport club assemblage. 

Powerlifting Club President Bryce Ballard and Vice President Shane Manzoni are two powerhouses leading the group. It is a community that not only honors the core of powerlifting competitiveness, but also emphasizes a tight-knit family feel, prioritizing making a safe space to push your physical limits, attaining a healthy body-mind connection and picking up weight you’d never have imagined you could. 

The list does go on. 

Ballard, a transfer student this past fall, was approached at the beginning of the school year and offered a job in the Recreation Center when he was asked about powerlifting. It soon became clear that Ballard, being a seasoned strength trainee and Texas High School Powerlifting Association State Champion, was the man for the job. 

With that, the revival of the Powerlifting Club began, this time, with new leadership. 

Ballard reached out to Manzoni, who had been a member of the previous Powerlifting Club, and talked him into walking back in as vice president for the reformed group. 

Ballard and Manzoni co-coach and write out programs so the team has the option of a free resource. Manzoni points out that workouts are, “individually tailored for their own success and growth.” 

The team doesn’t meet up daily, but they have a tendency to lift at the same time because of their closeness. On Fridays, they have a designated lift time together. On Saturdays, they have optional team recovery. 

There are competitions, most athletes competing three to four times a year at collegiate competition with competitors from all over. The next one is coming up fast, just three weeks away in Gatesville, Texas. 

The philosophy of the team is uplifting and encouraging.

“Chase the progress, don’t chase the number,” Ballard said. 

By installing this motto, Ballard hopes to emphasize growth instead of dwell on goals maybe not quite reached. 

Both Ballard and Manzoni are tremendously fueled by their faith and believe that honing the body and mastering physical discipline elevates every other aspect of life, including mental and spiritual. 

Ballard has been passionate about powerlifting since high school.

“I do it because I love seeing growth and progress… God has a plan for me in this sport. He’s given me the ability to be as successful and as strong as I am… I don’t want to let that ability He’s given to me go to waste,” Ballard said.

They also strive to be set apart from other clubs and organizations by the way they treat their athletes. 

“We view them as people known, loved and valued… We treat them as individuals, not as placeholders or people that can bring us medals,” Manzoni said. 

Manzoni encourages women and men the same.

“Ask and you will receive… You will be so surprised with the kindness that people will offer you,” Manzoni said.

It’s no secret the recreation center at Tarleton is no longer of suitable size to host the growing student body: with only three squat racks, two deadlift platforms and three benching seats. 

Female students feel the elephant in the room. The ever existent anxiety that comes with stepping into strength training as a woman now intermingles with fighting for equipment usage in a male dominated space. 

Hopefully, Tarleton will soon address the issue and make room for more gains and better health for everyone. 

But Ballard encourages his fellow women athletes despite this challenge. 

“Take the risk and leap for it,” Ballard said. “(The) girl’s team is growing this spring, and I’m very, very excited about that… I want the girls to come in and build the female strength community here (and) experience what powerlifting is like.” 

If this club sounds like it’s for you or you have questions, reach out to [email protected].

You can follow their Instagram page at tarletonstate.powerliftingclub.