In early September, over 850 powerlifters from across the country descended on the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah for USAPL Raw Nationals. Only nine were from the state of Wyoming but nearly half of those hail from Evanston. Trainer Maggie Jones and her trainees Ashleigh Clyne, Kole Garfield and Celia Williams represented local organization 307 Strength on the national platform.

“Nationals is always such a fun experience for me because I get to see powerlifting friends that I only run into a few times a year and it being held in Salt Lake City made it even more special,” Jones said. “When they announced it, I felt like we had won the Olympics.”

USAPL competitions feature three attempts at three different lifts - back squat, bench press and deadlift. According to Jones, in order to qualify for Nationals, a lifter must successfully move a USAPL-determined minimum total weight at state-level sanctioned meets.

“My powerlifting journey has been a roller coaster of events for sure,” said Clyne, 19, who has been lifting for 1.5 years and has competed in five meets so far. “My journey leading up to Nationals was the hardest and longest prep I’ve ever done. Just straight training since December.”

Williams, who is 60 and has been powerlifting since January 2023, has competed in four meets.  “I was hooked!  It boosted my confidence immensely. It was something I could do for myself and I learned to love working out,” she said.

Determined to do well, Williams said “going to Nationals was so exciting. I broke my record on bench at 88 pounds, I was so happy!  I had been on a plateau for six months and I finally did it.”

Williams, who already held state records for squat and deadlift, set a new Wyoming state record for bench press at the event.  In addition to her new personal best on bench, Williams squatted 110 pounds and deadlifted 176 pounds.

Garfield, who is freshman at Evanston High School, began powerlifting 2.5 years ago after his mom Anne Garfield suggested it.  “I started lifting and I liked doing it. It was me versus me and it has helped me gain confidence in myself.”  To date, Garfield has competed in five meets, including his Nationals-qualifying performance in June at a meet in Denver.

“I was feeling good heading into ‘nats’ (Nationals).  My primary goal was to make the best out of it. I pr’d in bench with 93 pounds, squat was 143 pounds and 209-pound deadlift,” Garfield, who weighs nearly half his deadlift effort, said.

Jones, a seasoned lifter and certified trainer of several disciplines, seriously began pursuing powerlifting while recuperating from an illness that made other forms of exercising difficult.  Lifting heavy was there for her when her mother passed away unexpectedly in 2021.  “It helped me heal and work through my feelings,” Jones said. “I signed up for my first competition after her funeral.”

September’s competition was Jones’ second Nationals showing and seventh overall meet.  “My main goal was to get a medal and to do that I needed to make sure that every attempt was solid so that I could achieve the highest total possible.” 

Jones had a perfect meet, seamlessly accomplishing all nine of her lifts culminating with a 320-pound squat and personal records in both bench press and deadlift with 209 and 397 pounds respectively.

Jones’ bench press also set the Wyoming state record for her age and weight class.  “I have held all the state records for my division since January 2023, except for bench so I was super happy to claim it,” she said.

“Powerlifting has changed my life so much,” said Clyne. “I’ve done things I never thought I could and have pushed my limits in a good way.”  Clyne’s best lifts of the day were a back squat of 298 pounds, bench press of 176 pounds and a 287-pound deadlift.

Clyne, who was also fighting through a back injury during the last weeks of training and the day of the competition, said she was determined not to give up.  “I was there to represent Wyoming...not everybody gets the opportunity to go to nationals.” 

“I had the privilege of introducing them [Clyne, Garfield and Williams] to the sport, so seeing them and being part of their first Nationals experience was so special,” Jones said of her experience as a coach with lifters performing on the platform.  “As individual a sport as powerlifting is, it’s great to be working towards a similar goal and encouraging and lifting each other up and it’s always a good time when we train together.”

“Maggie, Celia and Kole are my rocks and shoulders to cry on,” Clyne added. “I, for sure, would not have the persevered without them.”

Williams credits her success to her family’s 100% support of her powerlifting endeavors. “And my summer was full of working out with Ashleigh.  She is one of my very favorite people,” Williams said. “We helped each other so much.” 

“307 Strength is the best. Everyone is kind, friendly and we all want to have fun,” Garfield said. “It was a great experience and one I’ll never forget.”