Some of the competitors at the 2nd annual USPA Powerlifting meet held at the Norwich YMCA. (Submitted Photo)

NORWICH – The Norwich YMCA was host to the second annual United States Powerlifting Association meet this past Sunday. The gymnasium was full of 41 powerlifters and saw an increase in spectators , which brought about a 33 percent increase in profit and participation, doubling since its first event last September.

Norwich 2015 alum, active powerlifter, and YMCA staff member Dan Conant brought this idea to Executive Director Jamey Mullen last year, which the first event saw 30 participants and has since brought more exposure and awareness to the sport of powerlifting here locally in Chenango County.

“ Our town liked it,” Conant said. “ We had just about an even split of male to female powerlifters and had three people qualify for Nationals.”

Conant added that himself, Kegan Levesque, and Taylor Moore will attend the Nationals event in Las Vegas in July. Levesque lifted over 1700 pounds at the event while Jordan Jacquette won best lifter overall, which is based on body weight compared to total lifted.

Even with the official results not published on the USPA website at this time, there were many state records broken, including Conant in the squat. Nick Richette, a 16-year-old student-athlete from Oxford Academy, broke the National record in the deadlift, which he also did in March 2024 at another USPA event.

“This event brings opportunities to this town and I look to keep it going,” Conant said. “I hope one day, we will be able to host a Nationals event here in Norwich. The Y is plenty big enough for that.

Conant added that the USPA anticipates returning to Norwich in September because they like our town and the YMCA’s facility. Conant also anticipates having close to 60 or more powerlifters competing at the next event.

For more information on the USPA, visit their website at www.USPA.net to find out how to become a member and other events going on local, state, or nationwide.