April 11, a number of 14 Wing Greenwood personnel travelled across the province to compete independently and volunteer at 902 Athletics’ Bridgewater Novice Open powerlifting competition. The four athletes all came home with medal performances.
Corporal Mikayla Harper stayed with conservative weights to ensure completion of each lift, successfully completing her squat attempts with ease. Moving to bench press, Harper had minor complications due to technicalities, such as missing commands. Squat has two commands to follow to consider a lift a “good lift:” “squat,” to initiate the squat; and “rack” upon completion of the squat, when the barbell is to be returned to the rack. Harper had missed her commands resulting in a “bad lift.” This is the most common failure in powerlifting, besides choosing too heavy weights on attempts. Despite her challenges with her attempts, Harper ended up with a successful lift of 47.5 kg on her second attempt. On Harper’s third attempt, she successfully completed 50 kg, although had again missed the “rack” command. Harper’s deadlifts were all successful and deemed “good lifts,” resulting in 92.5 kg. After all nine attempts between the three lifts, Harper totaled 225 kg – enough to win gold in the Women’s Open 76 kg division.
Major Melissa Bryan had nothing short of a perfect day, winning a silver medal in the women’s Masters 1 division. With completion of all nine attempts, judges deemed every attempt as a “good lift.” Bryan’s best squat was 82.5 kilograms, best bench press was 57.5 kg and best deadlift was 125 kg. After all nine attempts, and between the three lifts, Bryan had a total of 265 kg.
Corporal Emilie Loustau had a rocky start at just her second meet. Attempting 92.5 kg for her first attempt on squat, and then a second attempt of at 97.5 kg, she recovered on her third attempt and lifted 97.5 kg. The successful lift was relieving and, from that moment on, Loustau’s attempts were nothing but successful. She ended up with a 65 kg bench press and a 145 kg deadlift. After all nine attempts, between the three lifts, Loustau totaled 307.5 kg and won the women’s Open 84 kg division gold – and was the top overall female lifter.
Corporal Mathew Villeneuve’s day, although successful in setting new standards in his personal bests between the three lifts, was not an accurate representation of the performance he is capable of – and has shown in the past. At the end of the day, he kept a level head and a good attitude and successfully completed a 170 kg squat, a 125 kg bench press and a 215 kg deadlift – with room in the tank for more. When all nine attempts were completed, between all three lifts, Villeneuve’s performance totaled 510 kg, and he won gold in the men’s Open 93 kg division. This is a considerable increase to his 2024 Bridgewater Novice Open, when he totaled 432.5 kg. Villeneuve is experienced and an intelligent powerlifter, and will take data from this meet and use it to his advantage in continued training and the next competition.
Greenwood’s Corporal Brandon Savage and Corporal David Szasz volunteered at the event.
Military members interested in competing or learning about the 14 Wing powerlifting team, the Bar Benders, are welcome to attend practices Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Fitness & Sports Centre. For information, contact head coach Mack Beattie, mackenzie.beattie@forces.gc.ca
May 30, the 14 Wing Greenwood Fitness and Sports Centre will host Nova Scotia Powerlifting’s provincial competition. Spectators are welcome.
