Glenn sets powerlifting marks
By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle rising sophomore James Glenn hopes to earn a spot in the starting rotation on the offensive line this fall.
If his work in the weight room is any indication, Glenn’s a strong bet to be on the field when the Tigers’ season opens up in August.
Glenn set three American records at the USA Powerlifting Alabama State Championships held at the Helen Keller School of Alabama in Talladega recently - posting top weights in the Teen Raw division in the squat (375 pounds), bench press (248 pounds) and deadlift (407 pounds).
The Teen Raw division is for 15-19 year old powerlifters in the 220-pound division who compete without the aid of a powerlifting suit.
Now Glenn will be setting his sights on the national powerlifting championships later this summer in Denver, Colo. He hopes to have another record-setting performance before turning his sights on Hartselle football in the fall.
Powerlifting consists of three different lifts; the squat, bench press and dead lift. Although you may be competing with other lifters in your same class ranking, the real goal is to best your last lift.
Glenn is coached by his brother, Jay, a two-year veteran of powerlifting events. Working around his brother helped James understand more about the sport and its strategy.
Glenn works out daily with the Hartselle football team and adds in a couple more workouts at at local fitness center.
In the state competition, each of the three lifts have three rounds for higher weight totals.
Each lift has three rounds to allow the athletes to better the previous lift. This allows the best weight lifted to be added for a total lift of the day.
Each lift has three rounds to allow the athletes to better the previous lift. This allows the best weight lifted to be added for a total lift of the day.
Glenn wasted little time in putting on a record-setting performance after his third squat at 375 pounds set an American record.
In the bench press, Glenn was successful at 248 pounds, 17 pounds shy of his personal best. But a final attempt at 270 pounds was unsuccessful.
Glenn finished off the day with a 407-pound deadlift to set yet another record.
The combined total of the three lifts was 1,030 pounds, also a record for Glenn.
The squat was the first lift. After James had completed his third squat at 375 pounds it was announced that he had set an American record but James did not hear it. His brother took him by the shoulder and made sure he understood the significance of the crowd’s cheers.
Jay Glenn, who serves as James’ powerlifting coach, also dominated the meet with three records that he had set during the Regional Six event in December.
The Hartselle volunteer football coach achieved a personal goal with 501 pounds in the squat. He also set personal marks with a 363-pound bench press and a 529-pound deadlift.
