Powerlifting for Jesus 

Written By: Jazmine Cooper  

Did you know that OKWU has a powerlifting club? No? Keep reading to find out more about this opportunity to grow stronger physically and socially! 

Sophomore Sam McGlathery, the founder of the club, is very excited about growing this club on campus, and loves the group that has come together to grow: “The powerlifting club is a community of like-minded, goal-oriented students that want to get stronger, improve lifts, or be around good people on campus.”  

Sam  has been involved in powerlifting since he was a senior in high school. He was actually recruited to some schools for powerlifting. After praying about where he wanted to go, he decided to come to OKWU and start his own powerlifting opportunity here! He knew that he was going to powerlift whether there was a club or not, but he thought it would be great if he could share the opportunity with others. When he presented the idea of a powerlifting club to other students, the response was enough to spur him to make it official.  

For those who are not familiar with the sport, powerlifting is lifting weights and continually increasing the weight that you are able to lift. Sam has passed personal records he set last year. He is now able to squat 435 pounds, bench 285 pounds, and deadlift 425 pounds! Junior Benjamin Bender has also set a new personal record by benching 200 pounds. Many others in the club have been able to set and surpass the goals that they have made.   

If this sounds like an opportunity that you would want to be a part of, reach out to him or any others in the club to learn more or get involved. They meet on Saturdays at 8 AM. Sam and the others in the club would love to see you there!   

Or if you have a club that you would like to introduce to the OKWU community, there is a way to do it! Go to the website https://www.okwu.edu/campus-life/clubs-organizations/ and follow the process to get your hobbies or interests featured on OKWU’s campus!