At the 2025 Lion Classic, the Staley Strong Powerlifting team made their debut, showcasing their strength and determination among more than 600 competitors. This first-ever meet at Lansing High School Jan. 25 marked a milestone for the team, as they not only achieved standout performances but also set a solid foundation for a future in powerlifting.

Powerlifting joins a diverse list of activities available at the school. Meets are divided into several weight classes, often being divided by about seven-pound increments. Lifters participate in three lifting events, which are squat, hang clean and bench press. Rankings are decided by total weight lifted in all three events, and lifters also earn points based on their placings in individual events. If lifters end with the same weight, the higher placing will go to the lifter who weighs less. 

“These powerlifters are taking time out of the winter to go and compete, and at the end of the day, that’s what we’re trying to do,” Powerlifting coach Josh Barnes said. “Staying competitive throughout the year, figuring out ways to hit PRs, set new goals and go out and achieve them.”

Out of 21 schools and 613 lifters at the Lion Classic, the boys team placed fifth in the meet with two overall medalists. Freshman JohnMicheal Speer won the overall men’s 114-pounds weight class, lifting 405 pounds total in all three events. Junior Lance Holsted placed first overall for the 181-pounds weight class, where he lifted a total of 1005 pounds in all events, placing first in bench press and second in squat. Other team medalists include freshman Samuel Brewer, placing third on bench press for the 156-pounds weight class, junior Logan Thom placing second in hang clean for the 173-pounds weight class and junior Carter Lewis placing second in hang clean for the 181 lbs weight class. 

“Considering it’s not something that I ever thought I’d be doing, it was pretty satisfying knowing that most of the things I do are for football, so being able to go out there and do something I enjoy that I know makes me better for football and being able to succeed at it, it’s a pretty good feeling,” Holsted said following the tournament. 

Holsted is a multisport athlete competing in football, track and field and now powerlifting, who believes powerlifting will help with other sports. 

“It builds explosiveness, strength, just fundamental things that you need to compete in other sports,” Holstead said. “It’s a good environment, people support each other even if you don’t know each other.” 

The Junior Men’s team including the freshman and sophomore lifters placed sixth in the meet, with several medalists including freshman Mason Bass in second place for the 165-pounds weight class, lifting a total of 655 pounds. Sophomore Cooper Unruh placed second overall for the 198-pounds weight class, lifting 760 pounds. Sophomore Holden Tidwell placed third overall in the 198-pounds class as well, with a total of 740 pounds. 

Event medalists include freshman Ryan Sheer in second place for squat for the 165 pounds and Mason Bass taking second in bench press for the 165-pounds class. Unruh placed first in squat and second in bench press for the 198-pounds, followed by Tidwell who took second in squat and third in bench press. 

“I think we want to get as big of a group as possible, I think we started with a pretty solid group of kids right now,” Barnes said. “The bigger group we can get, the more fun it will be, and the more competitive it will be internally, I think we’re just excited to see where we can take it and how big it can grow.” 

With their first showing at the Lion Classic, the team will look to participate in more events in the Kansas City area, joining several high schools that have adopted the sport into their winter and spring activities list. 

The team finished their second meet yesterday, at the Basehor Linwood Invitational, competing against 35 schools and tied for fifth overall.

The team highlighted the following performances:

• JohnMichael Speer, 9: 4th in 114; 445 total
• Jetson Young, 10: 7th in 140; 670 total
• Samuel Brewer, 12:  2nd in 148; 805 total
• Nick Ballew, 11: 18th in 173; 695 total
• Lance Holsted, 11: 2nd place in 181; 1,005 total
• Carter Lewis, 11: 4th in 181; 925 total
• Anthony Gowin, Jr.: 10th in 198; 925 total
• Draivyn Colvin, 11: 12th in 220; 890 total
• Keegan Wink, 11: 13th in 242; 840 total
• Cooper Wilson, 11: 24th in 242; 430 total (squat & bench only)
• Parker Geniuk, 11: 26th in HWT; 515 total (squat & bench only)

Junior Mens

• Mason Bass, 9: 6th in 165; 680 total
• Dominic Matthews, 10: 9th in HWT; 760 total
• Winston Smith, 9: 12th in HWT; 730 total