Dexter powerlifters win big at national competition
MADISON, Wisconsin — Team Iron Will, a powerlifting group from Dexter, recently traveled to the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters (WABDL) World Cup in Madison, Wisconsin. The team is comprised of five lifters that train together at Millside Fitness in Dexter. The group grabbed national attention with 11 first-place trophies, four Best Lifter awards and two second-place medals.
“This group has worked hard and turned a lot of heads in the first national competition,” said David Palmer of Dexter. “We say that hard work always pays, and it paid big in this trip.”
Photo courtesy of David Palmer
GETTING TO LIFT A NUMBER OF AWARDS — The Dexter-based powerlifting group Team Iron Will earned 11 first-place trophies, four Best Lifter awards and two second-place medals at the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters (WABDL) World Cup in Madison, Wisconsin. From left are Toby Levenslor, Andrew Levenslor, Eric Bennett, David Palmer and Kyle Lockhart.
Palmer has lifted in WABDL for seven years and holds state and world records for bench and deadlift. “Powerlifting is the kind of sport that men and women of all ages can compete in and has been amazing to be a part of,” he said.
Kyle Lockhart, also of Dexter, went head to head with the same competition that he had at last year’s WABDL Worlds in Las Vegas. Lockhart was able to take out his competition in both bench and deadlift and secure a first-place win.
Andrew Levensalor not only lifted his best weights so far, but secured first place in bench and deadlift as well as push/pull, a category that combines the best lifts into a total score. He was most excited about his first ever Best Lifter award.
Eric Bennet, a 17-year-old lifter, traveled for the first time to compete out of state and he did a remarkable job. While winning two first-place medals, he set four State of Maine records. “I was very nervous at first, but once I got my first lift I calmed down and had a lot of fun,” he said.
Toby Levensalor competed for the first time ever in the 47-53 age group and brought home two second-place medals. “What impressed me the most was everyone that competed was very nice and encouraged everyone,” he said. “It made my first meet that much more fun.”
Palmer took three first-place medals and a Best Lifter award. “This is one of my favorite meets of the year,” he said. “I was so excited and proud to share that experience with the team.”
Team Iron will is not done as members are now training for the New England championships in Portland on June 29. “I am hoping more people will become interested in the sport and compete in June,” Palmer said.
The June meet is a qualifier for the WABDL World Championships being held in Las Vegas in November. For more information about powerlifting and the WABDL, please go to WABDL.org.