SPORTS WRAP

A group of Owatonna female weightlifters is not only good at pumping iron, but also persuasion. They pushed for bringing a powerlifting competition to town and now that will become a reality on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Federated Gym at OHS.

Raise the Bar Initiative is a Des Moines, Iowa-based nonprofit that believes physical strength is important for women and leads to improved mental health and a better community. The Women’s Barbell Classic is both a competition and fundraiser.

Dani Klinkner of Owatonna was part of a small contingent to compete in Iowa in 2018.

“I loved it. It was awesome,” she said. She brought along some of her clients a few years later.

“Then it kind of spread like wildfire up here,” said Klinkner.

The local team grew to about 30 this past spring. “You find a group of people that you have the same thing in common. The energy of being there that day is enough to pump you up and reset your mind. Everybody plateaus in the gym. You hit that wall. It’s a nice reset,” said Klinkner.

About 100 lifters, ranging from eight years old to 60+, will compete on Oct. 12. The field is full, but spectators are welcome. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. start. Admission is $10.

Simone Steiskal of Owatonna appreciates the high school opening its doors and explained what to expect.

“High energy. Loud music. It’s like a dance club almost. Lights. People are constantly cheering. You might not even know the person on the stage. Everyone’s just supporting everyone,” said Steiskal.

She got involved after seeing a flyer.

“I had been working out in a local gym here for a few years and I was wanting to do a little bit more, competition-wise. I’m pretty outgoing and I like trying new things. This will be my third competition. My physical fitness has improved tremendously because I have something to work toward and push myself. I’ve PR’d in the last two competitions. And also confidence, just knowing that I can do it, and I have so much support. These women have become close friends,” said Steiskal.

Local excitement

“It’s an opportunity for our female student-athletes to be showcased and display their abilities they’ve been working so hard for, not only here locally, but this is going to draw from around the Upper Midwest,” said OHS Strength Coach Jerry Eggermont.

“For me, it’s fun to see that these former students who are now women really had, hopefully, a good experience in the weight room and through lifting, saw the physical change mental toughness and discipline that comes with training in the weight room,” said Eggermont.

Glenda Smith, Director of Conventions and Tourism with the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, is excited to see a local group advocate this.

“It’s important for our community to have new events that hopefully we can invite back year after year,” said Smith.

She believes about half of the competitors are coming from out of the area.

“That’s a great opportunity for overnights in our hotels. And anytime someone stays at our hotels, they also spend money in our community. These are exactly the kind of events we need to have and grow here because we have facilities that can fulfill what they are looking for. Having those local connections and organizers are super helpful in keeping it around and getting it off the ground,” she said.

“The Women’s Barbell Classic is another event that is attracting people to the Owatonna community. We’re excited to showcase the hospitality of this city to the participants of this event,” said Chamber President and CEO Brad Meier.

Find out more at raisethebarinitiative.com and see the full interview at OwatonnaLive.com.

First-time marathoner

A year ago, Leyton Williams ran in his first state high school cross-country meet. This fall he completed his first marathon with a cookie and a smile while running with OHS assistant coach and “best running partner” Jake Jensen.

“It’s a lot worse than a cross-country race. My legs hurt a lot. They felt so heavy, like magnets to the ground,” said Williams after running the Twin Cities Marathon from U.S. Bank Stadium to the capital in St. Paul on Sunday.

But the recent OHS grad pushed on.

“I just really wanted the medal. It’s just like the mindset of cross-country. When you start something, you want to finish it. It felt pretty good until about 13 or 14 miles in.”

He said that Jensen – a 2013 OHS grad who was also running his first marathon – made the difference.

“He pushed me a lot. I want to give him a lot of credit. I would have started walking probably at about mile 18. That’s where it got to me mentally. I just wanted to stop,” said Williams.

He came in at 3:48:43, just in front of Jensen’s 3:51:14 as they both reached their goals. The weather was breezy with temperatures in the 50s. Williams would have preferred some rain.

“I was really impressed by all of the fans. I read probably a hundred signs. They were pretty funny. And some people had the Vikings game going on TVs out in the front yard,” said Williams.

Hitting the wall

It wasn’t a walk in the park for Williams crossing the finish line.

“I had a really bad hamstring cramp right at mile 25. I got so scared I wasn’t going to be able to finish. I straightened out my leg and hobbled,” he said.

Seeing the finish line shortly after inspired Williams.

“It helped me with my kick. I was just ready to be done. It gave me a boost of energy and I was moving a lot faster than I thought I would,” said Williams.

A cookie from his family at mile 21 initially didn’t sit well in his stomach but said it was good to get something to eat. He said the hills weren’t as bad as he was led to believe.

Race week he reported that he was a little nervous. But he completed a 20-mile run a few weeks before, generally considered the longest training run before tackling the 26.2-mile course.

It wasn’t fair of me to ask him right afterward if he will do it again, but I did. He responded, “Probably not. I never thought I would do a marathon when I was younger. It was cool to do it. I don’t know. Kind of like doing hard things to push yourself. So, maybe I’ll do it again.”

The whole idea surfaced while discussing with his older brother, Brayden, that only a small percentage of Americans have completed a marathon.

Perfect home pitch

Owatonna girls soccer wrapped up an undefeated home regular season at 7-0 with a 4-0 win over Faribault on Senior Night last week. Defender Alia Kubicek scored her first varsity goal. Kennedy Schammel put home a pair, and Kelli Waypa scored as well. All are seniors. Two days later, Schammel scored twice in a 2-1 win at Rochester Mayo to secure a Big Nine title. The playoffs started on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The Huskies have 11 seniors.

“That says a lot about leadership, but also commitment to the sport as well. Last year we had six seniors. So, the fact that we have 11 this year that stuck through the entire program, and we have a couple that this is their first year on varsity,” said Owatonna Head Coach Nate Gendron. “The leadership funnels through all of them. You can see it in different aspects whether it’s a practice, or a game, on the bench, on the field, they all lead in their own certain way. This is one of the closest-knit groups that I’ve coached in a long time.”

Home hockey

Steele County Blades junior hockey dropped a pair of games to the Dells Ducks over the weekend despite scoring first each night. On Friday, the Ducks responded with three goals right away and held on for a 5-4 win and on Saturday, the Dells won 4-1.

The Blades host the Blue Ox on Friday, Oct. 11 and the Squatch on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Both games will be at Four Seasons Centre at 7 p.m. Steele County plays at the Mullets on Sunday, Oct. 13 at Augsburg University at 2 p.m.

OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule

Thursday, Oct. 10
OHS girls swim/dive vs. Mankato East, 6:30 p.m.
Medford football vs. WEM, 7 p.m.
Blooming Prairie football vs. Winona Cotter, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 11
OHS football at Rochester JM, 6 p.m. pregame (simulcast on The FAN/Owatonna, 1170AM/106.3FM)
Blooming Prairie volleyball vs. WEM, 7:15 p.m.