Zane Stam wins weightlifting championship

Hot Springs County High School junior Zane Stam, 16, competed at the State Championship Powerlifting Meet on January 27. Stam lifted a total of 460 kgs, which amounts to over 1,000 pounds. He did three different lifts, which included squat, bench, and deadlift, with three attempts in each lift. Stam won the state championship for his age and weight class and has qualified for nationals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 4.

Regarding Stam's mindset during his competition, he said, "I was just trying to stay calm and collected and not get too riled up about it. Just do what I know I can do."

Stam added, "Coach Boone Bowker helps me a lot. He's the football coach and the strength training coach. He's been basically the reason I've been going to these meets, and he's been coaching me a lot through my lessons. Me and him have a personal relationship at this point. We've gotten pretty close. He takes his time not only with me but with all the kids and coaches to find out your strengths and what you excel in and your weaknesses. He's good at finding your weaknesses, not only in like your physical strengths and then handling them so you can be stronger."

Stam explained his thoughts prior to a competition and said, "In the first couple meets, obviously before the meet, you get nervous and stuff. But I just think back at all the training I've done and Coach Bowker has a saying where 'The bar doesn't lie'. If you're putting in the work, you're going to be able to do it. Just relying on the fact that you've been putting in the work, so you're going to have your success."

Vision is essential to Stam as he trains for powerlifting. He said, "The main goal right now is to play college football. I've seen other college and professional athletes, they've competed in powerlifting and obviously getting stronger is going to help me a lot in becoming a college athlete and playing college sports. My vision is to compete at the next level in football. That's kind of what got me into powerlifting and just getting the best out of myself that I can possibly be."

When it comes to Stam's sources of inspiration, he said, "My parents, for sure. They've been supportive of everything that I've done. The running back at the University of Wyoming. His name is Harrison Wayle, and I've been keeping up a lot with him and his journey, and he's inspired me a lot."

Stam expressed how the local support has been for him in his competitions and said, "Every time I go to a meet, the community, well, the people who know me personally, are pretty supportive about it. Friends, obviously, in school or who I lift with are pretty supportive about it."

Now that Stam has qualified for nationals, he is currently working on raising financial support to make the trip. Regarding how he feels about this opportunity, Stam said, "Obviously it's going to be the biggest meet I've ever had by a huge margin. I think I'm going to be competitive. I'm at the bottom of the weight class right now, so I have a lot of weight to gain, which is only going to make me even stronger."

At the time of reporting, Stam weighed 170 lbs with a height of 5'10".