The 2003 Junior National Powerlifting Championships, held at the Baton Rouge Radisson, gave home court advantage to two members of the LSU Powerlifting team.
Students Kenneth Reynolds and Steven McLawchlin entered the competition hoping for an invitation to the world championships in Poland in September.
McLawchlin took first place in the competition and will join teammate Jan Morello, who qualified earlier, in representing the University in Poland.
“[Steven] is just phenomenal,” said Reynolds, University powerlifting president. “Every meet he comes in focused. He has fun with the sport but stays focused. For a freshman he has a maturity level that gives him an advantage.”
McLawchlin, a Texas native, ranks No. 1 in the country in the 165 lb. weight class and can bench press 346 lbs., squat 576 lbs., and deadlift 553 lbs.
“He’s unbelievable,” said University powerlifting coach Arval Bridges.
Reynolds finished the competition fourth and did not qualify for the world championships.
“My last week of training I did a lot of cardio to lose weight but it took away from my strength,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said powerlifters often increase their cardiovascular exercise and change their diets right before a competition to lose weight and enter a lower weight class. However, he feels it may have hindered his performance.
“For some people it works out and for some people it doesn’t,” Reynolds said. “If your body can handle the adjustment it’s a good thing to do.”
Reynolds said next year he plans to stay in his weight class and not change his routine right before a competition in order to move down classes.
David Brewer also was scheduled to compete in the event but withdrew after suffering dehydration.
McLawchlin and Morello will continue full workouts during the summer to prepare for world championships while the rest of the powerlifting team will take a break before practices start in the fall.
Reynolds said the team plans to get together and have fun during the off-season. He said the team has a motto.
“It’s not so much how good you are but how much fun you have,” Reynolds said.
The team will begin recruiting in the fall.